Summary:
Bosky Khanna ByExpress News ServiceBENGALURU: In order to address the issue of people crowding at provision stores in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown, scientists of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have proposed a ‘Hub-and-Spoke Model for Essential Commodity Distribution’ so that proper social distancing is maintained. The spokes can be localities/wards/sub-areas/PDS zones where distribution needs to be done at doorsteps. Each spoke can be assigned to the nearest designated hub based on the shortest distance criteria and for the purpose of minimizing the total distribution time till the individuals’ doorsteps. With a carefully designed web of these hub and spoke locations and the optimum use of large and small vehicles, the overall distribution time can be minimised with cost-effective operation. He said that to enable unhindered movement of personnel related to declared essential services, the government can use a different coloured ink stamp (so as to differentiate them for the colour used for quarantine stamp)..