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Photos: One year since the lockdown, photographers revisit Mumbai's iconic spots

Mumbai, a city that never sleeps, came to a grinding halt on March 25, 2020. A nationwide lockdown to arrest the novel coronavirus had come into effect as India and the world rushed to understand a new pathogen. After several extensions, the city slowly made a bid at normalcy, lifting restrictions and resuming economic activity. HT’s photographers captured the eerie silence that befell Mumbai in the early days of the lockdown last year. They returned to those spots a year later to find the city quiet, but not out.

Published on: Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM IST

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The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) traffic junction, seen the first day of what began as a 21-day nationwide lockdown to check the spread of the novel coronavirus, in Mumbai on March 25, 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the measure during a televised address to the nation the previous evening. (Bhushan Koyande / HT Archive)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) traffic junction, seen the first day of what began as a 21-day nationwide lockdown to check the spread of the novel coronavirus, in Mumbai on March 25, 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the measure during a televised address to the nation the previous evening. (Bhushan Koyande / HT Archive)

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CSMT junction seen almost a year since the start of the Covid-19 induced lockdown, on March 20. After reigning in its first wave of infections in mid-September last year, Maharashtra is now facing its second wave of infections, with caseloads surging since early March. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Photo)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

CSMT junction seen almost a year since the start of the Covid-19 induced lockdown, on March 20. After reigning in its first wave of infections in mid-September last year, Maharashtra is now facing its second wave of infections, with caseloads surging since early March. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Photo)

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Gateway of India overrun by pigeons after police closed it off due to precautions in light of rising Covid-19 cases, on March 19, 2020. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Archive)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

Gateway of India overrun by pigeons after police closed it off due to precautions in light of rising Covid-19 cases, on March 19, 2020. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Archive)

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The bustle of the Gateway back, in this scene a year later on March 20. Precautions, now internalised, persist despite major relaxations from the hard lockdown that came last year. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Photo)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

The bustle of the Gateway back, in this scene a year later on March 20. Precautions, now internalised, persist despite major relaxations from the hard lockdown that came last year. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Photo)

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The Null Bazar marketplace devoid of activity, with businesses shut and residents preparing for a long spell indoors, on the first day of the nationwide lockdown against Covid-19, on March 25, 2020. (Pratik Chorge / HT Archive)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

The Null Bazar marketplace devoid of activity, with businesses shut and residents preparing for a long spell indoors, on the first day of the nationwide lockdown against Covid-19, on March 25, 2020. (Pratik Chorge / HT Archive)

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Null Bazar, nearly a year later on March 20, with the marked presence of roadside stalls signaling a return to business, albeit at levels lower than before. A stream of commuters however, appears to take up more space than people out shopping. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Photo)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

Null Bazar, nearly a year later on March 20, with the marked presence of roadside stalls signaling a return to business, albeit at levels lower than before. A stream of commuters however, appears to take up more space than people out shopping. (Anshuman Poyrekar / HT Photo)

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A view outside Bandra railway station on March 25, 2020 the first day of the lockdown. The station would on any other day see a steady stream of travellers making journeys on the city’s suburban rail network. A city lifeline, the network came to a sudden halt with the announcement of lockdown. (Ragul Krishnan / HT Archive)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

A view outside Bandra railway station on March 25, 2020 the first day of the lockdown. The station would on any other day see a steady stream of travellers making journeys on the city’s suburban rail network. A city lifeline, the network came to a sudden halt with the announcement of lockdown. (Ragul Krishnan / HT Archive)

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Bandra station on March 22, almost a year since the lockdown came into effect. Services on the rail network stood suspended for months and only returned to pre-Covid-19 levels in January this year. Bandra station did however, help migrants reach home during the months of lockdown via Shramik special trains (Pratik Chorge / HT Photo)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

Bandra station on March 22, almost a year since the lockdown came into effect. Services on the rail network stood suspended for months and only returned to pre-Covid-19 levels in January this year. Bandra station did however, help migrants reach home during the months of lockdown via Shramik special trains (Pratik Chorge / HT Photo)

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The Eastern Express Highway, deserted as India observed a day-long "Janata Curfew", which preceded the implementation of the nationwide lockdown, on March 22, 2020. Countless migrant workers hoping to reach home would soon descend on these empty roads. (Satish Bate / HT Archive)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

The Eastern Express Highway, deserted as India observed a day-long "Janata Curfew", which preceded the implementation of the nationwide lockdown, on March 22, 2020. Countless migrant workers hoping to reach home would soon descend on these empty roads. (Satish Bate / HT Archive)

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Traffic back on the Eastern Express Highway, nearly a year after the Covid-19 induced lockdown, on March 23. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

Traffic back on the Eastern Express Highway, nearly a year after the Covid-19 induced lockdown, on March 23. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

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Shivaji Park, a city icon for its links to crickets and politics, emptied out as restrictions on the movement of citizens due to the Covid-19 pandemic came into effect, on March 24, 2020. (Satish Bate / HT Archive)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

Shivaji Park, a city icon for its links to crickets and politics, emptied out as restrictions on the movement of citizens due to the Covid-19 pandemic came into effect, on March 24, 2020. (Satish Bate / HT Archive)

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A year later on March 21, the return of the sporting crowd to Shivaji Park hints at the perseverance of a city that continues to move ahead, if with caution. (Pratik Chorge / HT Photo)

Published on Mar 24, 2021 1:18 PM

A year later on March 21, the return of the sporting crowd to Shivaji Park hints at the perseverance of a city that continues to move ahead, if with caution. (Pratik Chorge / HT Photo)

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