On Day 1 Of Unlock, City Takes Slow Steps Towards Normalcy

Mumbai: A city accustomed to staying indoors since 2020 took it slow and steady on the first day of unlocking. Several stores selling non-essential items, gyms, salons, and restaurants reopened for clientele and obeyed the state’s call to roll down shutters at 4 pm.

But many other establishments remained closed, unwilling to risk the expenses of reopening without customers.

Public transport infrastructure failed to meet the challenge of the mini unlocking. There were long queues of frustrated passengers at BEST bus stops, especially at Sion and Borivli, as local trains remained off bounds for the common commuter. A BEST official said the rush was expected as the company-owned fleet has been pared down by half, to less than 2,000 vehicles. Motorists reported congestion on the Eastern and Western Express Highways, Andheri east, Dadar, and LBS Road.