In Pune, offices can open and hawkers can operate, but with restrictions

The new norms for lockdown phase 4 are being implemented by revising the previous norms and would be applicable from midnight. Several restrictions will remain in place in containment zones. No person will be allowed to enter or exit the restricted area, except for emergency services.

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The use of mask is mandatory in public places and spitting in open to be punishable offence. (Express photo/Arul Horizon)

In an order issued late on Tuesday, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) allowed a number of lockdown relaxations, such as allowing private offices and hawkers to function outside containment zones. It also revised the earlier list of 69 containment zones by adding 22 new locations and dropping 26 old ones from it.

“The new norms for lockdown phase 4 are being implemented by revising the previous norms and would be applicable from midnight,” said Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad.

He said the norms will be in addition to the guidelines laid down by the Union government and state government for the fourth phase of the lockdown, which will go on till May 31. Several restrictions will remain in place in containment zones. No person will be allowed to enter or exit the restricted area, except for emergency services.

Read| Coronavirus outbreak: 10 die in Pune district, toll climbs to 221

If a coronavirus case is detected in a no-containment zone, the PMC will seal the building or housing society concerned and declare it a containment zone. Central government offices will be allowed to work with 33 per cent staff while state government offices will operate as per the government norms, said Gaikwad.

Information Technology (IT) offices can operate with 50 per cent work force while call centres have to operate with the minimum possible staff. While domestic help will be allowed to travel for work to non-containment zones, they can’t come from a containment zone, and all precautions have to be taken to avoid the spread of infection, said the PMC chief.

The same rules apply for attendants to the elderly.The distribution of newspapers is allowed from 7 am to 10 am, but the vendor has to wear a mask and use sanitiser while distribution. The same norms will be applicable for other service providers. Courier services and e-commerce services for necessary items will be allowed. Home delivery of food items will not be allowed.

Construction activity at sites that have labour camps within their premises is allowed.The PMC has also allowed hawkers on certain streets, away from the main roads, but the hawkers have to maintain a distance of 10 metres between them and compulsorily use masks and gloves.

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Hawkers will not be allowed on Shivaji Road, Bajirao Road, part of Solapur Road, Satara Road, Nagar Road, Airport Road, Sinhagad Road, Paud Road, Jangli Maharaj Road, FC Road and Ganeshkhind Road.Shops will have to follow 7 am to 7 pm and five shops of non-essential commodities in a locality will eb allowed to remain open, along with all essential commodity shops. All the personnel in a shop have to wear masks and gloves.Weddings are allowed a maximum guest list of 50 persons and funerals can have only 20 people. The use of mask is mandatory in public places and spitting in open to be punishable offence.

The newly-included containment zones are:

Manjulabai chawl in Bhavani Peth, Parvati and Taljai wasti, Shahu Vasahat, Katraj, Ambegaon Pathar, Gultekdi, Bibewadi, Bibewadi gaothan, Dhanori, Yerawada Dhere talav area, Wanowrie, Gosavi Wasti in Hadapsar, Annabhau Sathenagar in Yerawada, Ramwadi, White House Society in Yerawada Vadgaonsheri, Parvati Janta Vasahat, Dhayari Raykarmala, Phursungi Bhekrainagar, Sainagar in Kondhwa, Rajput Vasahat in Erandwane, Shastrinagar in Kothrud.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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