In Pune, lockdown to be relaxed in least-affected areas after May 3

There was no point in keeping parts of the city, which had not seen too many cases of coronavirus, sealed off, said Shekhar Gaikwad. Movement of people and goods, as well as economic activity, needed to be brought back to normal in the least-affected areas, he said.

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The PMC has, till now, implemented its containment plan in each ward office, thus covering a huge area. (Representational Photo)

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is likely to relax the lockdown in the city from May 3, provided there are no directives from the state or Union government asking it not to do so.

“The nationwide lockdown will end on May 3. The PMC is planning to relax the lockdown across the entire city and instead enforce it only in small pockets,” said Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad.

The PMC chief said the discretion of sealing a particular area was with the municipal commissioner and he, after consulting with the city police, has prepared a strategy. “There are 130 pockets, mainly slums, that have been identified as hotspots. So, the sealing will be restricted to these pockets instead of all ward office areas,” said Gaikwad.

There was no point in keeping parts of the city, which had not seen too many cases of coronavirus, sealed off, said Gaikwad. Movement of people and goods, as well as economic activity, needed to be brought back to normal in the least-affected areas, he said.

“I am waiting for the guidelines of the state and Union government that have to be followed after lifting of lockdown,” he said.

The PMC is ready with its containment plan post lockdown from May 4, he said, adding that there will be rigorous implementation of the containment plan in hotspot areas. This will help the police and civic administration carry forward its containment plan effectively, Gaikwad said.

The PMC has, till now, implemented its containment plan in each ward office, thus covering a huge area.

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The hotspot areas, with a higher number of cases, were much smaller, he said.

Of the 15 ward offices of PMC, five were in the ‘red zone’, with several reported cases, and the PMC has launched a special drive to check the spread of infections in these areas

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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