On the new list, the mixed zones — a combination of standalone buildings, slums and apartment buildings — constituted 13 of the containment zones, three more than complexes that have so long dominated the list. There are two slums — one each at Santoshpur and Mukundapur — on the list. For the first time, an entire market at Baghajatin (adjoining Baghajatin station) has been marked as a containment zone.
The worst fears of south suburban Kolkata residents have come true with the new containment list. While the Baisnabghata-Patuli Township alone has four containment zones, Baghajatin, Mukundapur and Santoshpur have two each. Behala continues to have three high-risk zones. “There are several hospitals around EM Bypass and those in the health sector have been affected. That is why we are being extra cautious about the area,” said a joint CP who attended a crucial meeting at the KMC headquarters on Thursday regarding the Covid situation in Kolkata. Alapan Bandhopadhyay, the home secretary and Kolkata’s nodal officer, was at the meeting that was also attended by Firhad Hakim, chairman of the KMC coordinators.
For residents of a good portion of central and north Kolkata though, it was a relief. Both the containment zones in Sarat Bose Road walked out of the list. So have the ones at Posta and Jorabagan — both located near busy markets. For the police here, it was no small aceivement to control movement of market-bound people at 14 different points. “The list brought relief for Garden Reach too, the only containment zone in the Port area. The Ultadanga-Phoolbagan-Beliaghata area has managed to reduce the number of containment zones from six to just two.
Sources said that a few areas in the north — especially in the Jorabagan-Girish Park zone — along with parts of Tollygunge-Jadavpur and Behala belts are under “specific watch”. “There has been a case spike in these areas and naturally, the need for larger containment zones are being discussed. But no decision has been taken yet. Similarly, particular clusters within the containment zones in Maniktala, Phoolbagan, Bhowanipore and Sakherbazar, where the mandatory two weeks have elapsed without a new case, is likely to be struck out of the list,” said a KMC health department official.
Even as the new isolation policy is in place, KMC and cops also kicked off a plan of intense vigil in apartments. “We will appeal to all residents to allow our men to visit the apartments, carry out random tests and counsel them,” said a KMC official.
