Mumbai: K-West ward’s crowded markets worry BMC

Ward, which comprises Andheri, Vile Parle and Jogeshwari, has been reporting more infections than others in Mumbai; has nearly half of city’s sealed buildings and reports an average of 500 cases a week

The bustling markets in Andheri West, Vile Parle (W) and Jogeshwari (W) have emerged as new spots of bother for civic officials. The areas comprise K-West ward, which still records an average 500 cases a week. As per BMC’s Covid dashboard, the growth rate in K-West ward is 0.14 per cent compared to the city’s average growth rate of 0.09 per cent.

Last week, the ward had reported 973 active cases, the highest in the city, which had 8,351 cases as on June 30. Even as the ward office has been trying desperate measures to control crowding, the market areas in the ward see too many people at one place with almost no social distancing rules followed. The city’s doubling rate of 488 days is the only positive sign for the authorities.

The ward has 32 of the total 75 sealed buildings across the city. The ward even has 342 sealed floors, the most in the city. BMC officials attributed the trend to increased testing. Even to enter the ward office for a birth or death certificate, one has to get the rapid antigen test done, they said.

“Despite curbs and tests, citizens need to cooperate and should follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour as the police have to often intervene to ensure that the markets are shut as many shops stay open beyond the permissible hours,” said an official from K-West ward.

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