Telangana mulls total lockdown in Hyderabad

Officials said a new strategy is being worked out and a total lockdown in GHMC areas is among the proposals.

Telangana lockdown, Telangana coronavirus lockdown, hyderabad coronavirus cases, coronavirus cases hyderabad, telangana coronavirus cases, coronavirus cases telangana, hyderabad begum bazar, hyderabad news, city news, indian express

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday chaired a high-level review meeting at Pragathi Bhavan to deliberate on strategies for Covid containment. (File Photo)

THE TELANGANA government is considering a total lockdown in areas under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) amid a drastic surge in Covid cases — 888 of the 1,087 positive cases reported on Saturday were from GHMC areas — in Hyderabad.

Officials said a new strategy is being worked out and a total lockdown in GHMC areas is among the proposals.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday chaired a high-level review meeting at Pragathi Bhavan to deliberate on strategies for Covid containment.

“Like other big cities with nearly 1 crore population, the spread of coronavirus in Hyderabad is also high… People started moving around after the lockdown was lifted. This has led to the spread of the virus… Other cities in the country are also thinking on these lines… Government machinery, especially police, and people should be made ready for this. If need be, Cabinet will be convened in three to four days to discuss proposals for the lockdown, alternatives and other related issues and a decision will be taken,” the CM said at the meeting, which was attended by Health Minister Etela Rajender, Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao and health experts.

“If lockdown is imposed, it should be implemented strictly and totally. There should be a day-long curfew with a one- or two-hour relaxation to buy the essentials. Flights and train services have to be stopped. All arrangements should be made from the government’s side. Hence, the government will examine all the issues in depth and would take the necessary decision,” the Chief Minister said.

Rajender said there was no need to panic if a lockdown is announced. “When compared to the national average, the death rate in Telangana is less. There is no need for fear… But several medical and health officials and medical experts are asking for another 15-day lockdown under the GHMC limits. We are considering that,” Rajender said.

Sreenivas Janyala

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Coronavirus