Amid growing fears of Covid-19 spreading at an alarming pace, the Maharashtra government has initiated aggressive containment efforts in Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum, according to police officials.
As part of the initiative, more than 10 localities have been declared as hot-spots and all movement of people stopped, all shops and establishments, fruit/vegetable markets or vendors, hawkers, etc, have been shut down, barring pharmacies. To prevent inconvenience to the public, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned to deliver essential items at doorstep. According to officials, elaborate arrangements have been made for that.
Dharavi has recorded two deaths and at least another 13 positive patients till date. Experts have warned of a human catastrophe if coronavirus is allowed to spread in Dharavi — the most congested place on the planet – with over 200,000 families living and working here, besides more than 20,000 big and small businesses generating revenues of an estimated Rs 7,000 crore annually.
“We have requested state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to direct the police to strictly enforce lockdown in this area to prevent the spread of coronavirus. We have also requested the government to provide more ventilators for the hospitals here, speed up test reports for those in quarantine as more and more people keep coming here daily,” said Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad.
Despite the obvious risks, most people in Dharavi seem oblivious of the invisible dangers around them and continue to move around in a carefree manner, with all social distancing norms thrown to the winds.
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