Traffic Returns As Offices Open

On Day 1 of curbs ease, office-goers carpool, unable to follow distancing

- Aneesha Mathur

As the central government offices reopened on Monday, Delhi once again witnessed long traffic and confusion about how to balance the need for work with the need for social distancing.

At 9 am in the Shastri Bhawan/Rail Bhawan area, long lines of cars belonging to officials formed at the gates, where the ID cards were checked and sanitizer sprayed on the car doors.

However, the junior staff faced the problem. From maintenance staff to Grade 2 and 3 officers, traveling to work with public transport shut has been a major problem. The MHA issued guidelines saying that no more than two persons can travel in a car, with the driver sitting in front and the passengers at the back, while a bike can have only its rider. This restriction was openly flouted as most people carpooled to work.