Mumbai traders, retailers lose business to MMR region

People are seen eating vada pav amid light rains at CST. Pic/Ashish Raje

While the city has become eligible to move to Level 1, where people can see opening up of various services with regular timings, the BMC has decided to continue to enforce restrictions. This has not gone down well with retailers, traders and hoteliers.

Unhappy, the business community has raised concerns with the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. They have claimed that the restrictions are severely affecting their businesses and so, many customers are turning to places like Thane and Navi Mumbai to shop and dine.

According to the latest circular issued by the state government, Mumbai's last week's TPR was 3.79 per cent and the oxygen bed occupancy is 23.5 per cent. Technically, the city is eligible for Level 1 relaxations, but the BMC has decided to let the curbs stay. In the coming week, however, the civic body may announce some relaxations.

But for now, people prefer booking tables in restaurants or banquet halls for events in Thane and Navi Mumbai areas. Viren Shah, president, Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA), said, "If the positivity rate crosses 5 per cent or the oxygen bed occupancy goes beyond 30 per cent, then the BMC can issue strict rules. But refusing to unlock the city, as per state guidelines, is unfair to us business owners. We can barely afford salaries of our staffers due to loss in business. We are sure the state government will intervene."

Interestingly, Mumbai businesses are being taken over by illegal hawkers who are conducting operations by flouting Covid-19 norms. While the BMC has attributed the density of population for its cautious approach and strict restrictions, these traders have requested an immediate solution.