KDMC stays its directive to seal Kalyan-Dombivli border

A day after issuing the circular to deny entry to local residents employed for essential services in Mumbai, the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on Wednesday put the decision on hold. There was a stay posted on this decision after it caused a furore among essential workers living in the Kalyan-Dombivli area.

Along with KDMC, the municipal corporation of Ulhasnagar and municipal councils of Ambernath and Badlapur also had announced similar decisions on Tuesday. However, only KDMC so far has been the civic body to put the decision on hold. As per the circular, the borders of Kalyan-Dombivli area were going to remain closed to people living in KDMC jurisdiction and working in Mumbai, which is the worst-affected area in the state. The order was supposed to come into force from May 8 and remain effective till 17 May, during the period of the extended lockdown.

प्रवास प्रतिबंधित करण्याचा निर्णय स्थगित!

अनेक कर्मचारी/अधिकारी यांची मुंबई मध्ये राहण्याची सोय होण्यासाठी काही कालावधी लागणार आहे म्हणून दि. ८ मे २०२० रोजी लागू होणारा प्रवास प्रतिबंधित करण्याचा निर्णय कल्याण डोंबिवली महानगरपालिकेने स्थगित केला आहे. pic.twitter.com/xw6WY6VXLC

— Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (@KDMCOfficial) May 6, 2020

KDMC Commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi announced the suspension of the decision. Earlier on Tuesday, Suryavanshi had asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other establishments to arrange for the stay of their employees who travel from KDMC to Mumbai. The decision was made to curb the spread of the virus in the KDMC area.

However, the essential workers, including several nurses and employees of the state government and the BMC had expressed their concerns over the decision of the KDMC and Ulhasnagar.

"What will happen to daily chores if I stay here in Mumbai for more than a week. My son is not even three-year-old, who will look after him?" a nurse from Nair Hospital who travels from Dombivli via bus told Firstpost.

Congress leader and Mumbai city Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh said that they will discuss the issue at state government level. Shiv Sena leader and Thane guardian minister Eknath Shinde also assured that no such decision will be taken without consulting the authorities concerned.

Currently, close 2,500 essential employees travel every day to Mumbai in a bid to assist the administration in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.