One Dashrath Prasad, a resident of Kurthaul in rural Patna, had to pay double the fare fixed by the district authorities for ferrying people in autorickshaws from one place to another in and around the state capital.

Prasad (62), who earlier worked at a private firm in Patna, had to pay exorbitant fare as no vehicle was available at Mithapur bus stand to reach home. He was returning from Digha in western Patna after attending a wedding ceremony on May 5.

With only a few vehicles plying on roads, people have to face hardship due to lockdown. “I have just landed at the Patna airport from Surat via Delhi and am looking for a vehicle for Muzaffarpur. I don’t know how much I have to pay for the car,” said Raju Kumar, a resident of Jatkauli in Muzaffarpur district.

Raju’s father Gajendra Ojha (65) has tested positive for Covid-19. “I had to pay more to the private airlines compared to normal charges due to the pandemic. Also, I have to pay more for the car,” he said while waiting for a car outside the airport.

Ganga Ram’s story is more pathetic. Ram (43), a resident of Patepur in Vaishali district, had waited for a bus at Mithapur bus stand since morning. “I alighted from the train at the Karbigahia end of Patna Junction at 4.30am. It’s 10am, but there is no vehicle,” he said.

Many people were seen walking on foot on the pavements to reach home. That is also not allowed. “I have to show my e-ticket to a police constable on duty at Hajipur junction. Only then I was allowed to go outside the premises to catch a bus for Samastipur,” a visibly upset Rajesh Kumar said.

Additional director general (headquarters) Jitendra Kumar said police forces have been provided to the important districts for effective enforcement of the lockdown. Patna has been provided five additional companies of the police force.

On the first day of the lockdown, seven people were arrested and FIRs lodged against five for violating Covid-19 guidelines. Similarly, 448 vehicles were seized and a sum of Rs 7.97 lakh fine was realised from them.
However, vehicles engaged in essential services have been exempted from purview of the lockdown. “Those travelling for valid reasons don’t need to worry,” the ADG added.

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