Coronavirus: Closure of parks and stadiums in Jamshedpur irks morning walkers

Jamshedpur, March 17: Hundreds of morning walkers and joggers were forced to return home after they found Jubilee Park following the Jharkhand state government directive to close public places as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.

Several venues of fitness freaks like JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jubilee Amusement Park, Tata Zoological Park, Bhetya Park and Nildih Park along with other major public places were shut down as per the directive till April 14.

Though some took an alternate route to Kadma-Sonari link road and Marine Drive but several preferred to stay at home, finding no other way out. Some senior citizens were angry over the fact that places like Jubilee Park are only few options to walk and meet their friends early morning.

“We are really very surprised as there is no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Jharkhand yet. We need to take precautions steps but will they also shut down markets. Rather than closing parks and public places we need to make them aware. Better awareness could have made the situation better instead of this shutdown. We are now trying to find an alternate place like the Kadma-Sonari Link road to walk and walk,” said a member of Jamshedpur Morning Walkers Association.

Jubilee Park is one of the oldest and famous landmarks of Jamshedpur. People in large numbers visit the park daily. It had recently also restricted entry of vehicles in view of times rising cases of accidents due to rash driving, especially in late evening, and movement of anti-social elements. As per the decisions taken there is no vehicle movement inside the iconic Jubilee Park on Sundays for convenience of visitors inside the park.

Moreover, both the entry/ exit gates of the park remain closed by 8.00 pm (Monday to Saturday) and no vehicular/ public movement will be allowed 8.00 pm onwards inside the park. No vehicles is allowed on the road passing through JN Tata Statue – Mughal Gardens – Children Park � Nicco Amusement Park at any time.

On the other hand, several retail stores at P&M Hi-Tech City Centre mall in Bistupur were found open as owners said that there is no directive of closure for stores and the market in general. The P&M Hi-Tech City Centre mall was open but witnessed very less visitors. The mall management has taken precautionary measures like wearing masks and making visitors use hand sanitisers while they enter. However, PJP Cinepolis has been shut down as per the government directive.