PCMC’s odd-even rule for shops opening depends on positivity rate

Pimpri-Chinchwad are under level 3 of the state’s guidelines for easing of Covid norms, with a positivity rate of 5.2%

PUNE The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will hold a meeting with traders’ representatives on Friday, to decide on if the “odd-even” rule for shops being open should continue in the market areas of the twin townships.

Shops on the right in this picture were closed on Tuesday, while those on the opposite side were open, as per the PCMC rules. (HT)

If the Covid positivity rate of Pimpri and Chinchwad is below 5% a relaxation of the rule is expected.

Currently, Pimpri-Chinchwad are under level 3 of the state’s guidelines for easing of Covid norms, with a positivity rate of 5.2%.

“We are expecting the positivity rate to be under 5% by Friday. The restrictions were imposed in the market to bring down the positivity rate. Once the positivity rate is under control, relaxations will be provided to traders,” said Vikas Dhakane, additional commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

Traders had protested against the P1/P2 regulation for shops being allowed to open, which worked similarly to the parking system.

Only shops on one side of the street are allowed to be open on days with odd dates, and the other side opens on days with even dates.

“We have been told to keep shops open on an alternate day basis. We met members of the civic administration and they have urged us not to protest till Friday. We are expecting to get permission to open all the shops from Saturday,” said Shrichand Aswani, chairman, Pimpri Merchant’s Federation, an umbrella body of 17 traders’ associations from the Pimpri market.

While this rule applies to Pimpri market, other market areas like Kalewadi, Bhosari and Chinchwad were excluded from the odd-even rule.

“I did not get the logic of the civic body’s odd-even rule. How will you control footfall by keeping shops open on alternate days. With only a few shops open, the rush increased and footfall remained the same,” said Aswani.

Dhakane added, “Pimpri market is a wholesale market. We had also imposed the odd-even rule in Ajmera market. The whole initiative was taken to bring the positivity rate down.”

Neeraj Lakhani, who runs a footwear shop in Pimpri market said, “I don’t think the rush of public was less in the market, even with even-odd rule in operation. It a loss for traders, as shops are open only thrice a week.”