Doctors raised concerns about non-compliance with Covid safety regulations on suburban trains that resumed services in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal on Wednesday, warning that the pandemic situation would deteriorate.
People jostled at various stations to catch the crowded compartment trains when services resumed after seven months in the morning.
Doctors said such violations are ideal for the spread of the virus, slowing the progress made in recent weeks in the fight against contagion.
“We can clearly see that people are not complying with Covid-19 security protocols and this is definitely a cause for concern for us,” said Dr. Anirban Dalui, a public health specialist.
“The problem is that those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms travel on the trains, risking the lives of people who are not taking the proper precautions,” he said.
Dr. Hiralal Konar of the Joint Platform of Physicians blamed inadequate planning by the state government and the railways for the violations.
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“The situation is quite alarming. I’m afraid that if it continues, the virus will spread to a level where it will be out of control, ”he told PTI.
“More planning was required keeping in mind that different people ride the trains for different purposes.
Those who travel to visit relatives should not have been authorized. The government and the railways got enough to do the planning, but they couldn’t, ”Dr. Konar said.
However, the senior physician, Dr. Syamasis Bandyopadhyay, said that it will take a couple of days for passengers to understand and practice the safety rules while traveling on the suburban trains.
“The situation worries us, but you cannot blame the government or the railways. Ordinary people have to show some responsibilities to maintain physical distance and follow protocols while traveling, ”he said.
“I think the sense of responsibility will grow in a couple of days. We have to wait and see, ”said Dr. Bandyopadhyay.
Local train services have been resumed under the jurisdiction of the Eastern and Southeastern Railways. They were suspended in March when the nation entered a lockdown with the detection of Covid-19 cases.
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