Banks of Dal Lake, food joints can emerge as Covid separators

By: Shayib Bhat

Srinagar

Like the curfew deal of previous years, hundreds of people throng Boulvard Road all along the Dal Lake in their vehicles to enjoy evenings. There are no social distancing rules, many of the people not wearing masks. Hundreds of new hawkers, vendors have emerged all along the Dal Lake. There are dozens of “tujji makers” or barbeque points on the banks of Dal Lake, reinforcing fears among the residents in the vicinity that it can spread Covid-19 virus.

“People should understand that Covid lockdown is different from previous curfew’s they are coming out in evenings like they used to come after deals and curfew. They are not taking any precautions, freely mingling on the streets”, said a resident of Dal Lake to this reporter.

Many of the residents are said that there are huge crowds in the evening hours all along the Dal Lake especially at the food joint points daily.

Residents further claimed that police is doing nothing to caution people and even the authorities like SMC and LAWDA are allowing hundreds of people to mingle on Boulvard Road daily.

Residents have appealed the authorities that they should ensure fumigation at all the food joints and ensure social distancing along with wearing of masks to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

People living all along Dal Lake fear Sunday’s. “Every Sunday right from morning till evening, hundreds of youth on bikes in vehicles are on the road going to gardens, parks without masks and social distancing”, said a resident of Shalimar to this reporter while appealing authorities to ban such free movement on Boulvard Road and Mughal Gardens.