Srinagar, Aug 13 (UNI) Life continued to be affected with all shops and business establishments remaining closed and passenger traffic off the roads in most parts of the Kashmir, including summer capital Srinagar, on Wednesday when 456 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in the valley.
The fresh lock down announced by District Magistrate on August Ist will end on August 15 evening in Srinagar, a day before Union Territory (UT) government has said religious and other worship places will reopen for the first time on August 16, since March this year.
Though majority barricades and other road blocks have been removed, security forces have closed one side of the road at several places in the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), civil lines and uptown.
Business and other activities remained paralysed in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, where large number of security forces remained deployed to implement restrictions. The main road at Gantaghar in the Lal Chowk area remained closed for any traffic movement. However, drivers of private vehicles were taken alternative Aftab Gali route. The Amira Kadal bridge remained closed and people are being advised to take Budshah bridge route to reach Moulana Azad road.
Passenger transport remained off the roads though some vehicles carrying passengers were seen plying on some routes, particularly on Moulana Azad road, the route being used by top bureaucrats to reach Civil Secretariat, seat of the government. Security forces have today closed the main road at Shamshan ghat Batmaloo and Bemina crossing though pedestrian and two wheelers were being allowed. Very less number of roadside vendors, selling fruits were seen at few places.
In the uptown some shops were seen functioning in the morning hours before again shutting down as the day progress. Private vehicles were plying in the uptown and outskirts.
The situation remained unchanged in the down town and SeK, where shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads. However, good number of private vehicles were plying though security forces had closed one tube of the Nallahmar road.
The main gates of historic Jamia masjid remained closed in the down town town. Security forces and police personnel remained deployed to prevent people from enter the worship place which remained closed since March this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports of lock down were also received from other parts of the Kashmir valley.
UNI BAS SB 1348