Thread by @IndianExpress

#ExpressFrontPage | While goods trains fall in the exempted category, freight services too were hit as states did not mention ‘Railways’ as essential service in their respective orders.

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With confusion at the lower levels about exemptions, transport even within states was hit. Big online grocers such as Grofers and Big Basket too were left scrambling to ensure sustenance of their supply chains.
#coronaviruslockdown #21daysoflockdown

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Grofers CEO tweeted that their warehouse had been shut by officials, while Big Basket announced on its mobile app that they were not operational due to restrictions.

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Freshtohome also said its personnel were being assaulted. Flipkart Supermart “delayed delivery slots due to an unforeseen increase in demand”, while fruits and vegetable suppliers on Swiggy were found “unserviceable” on Tuesday.

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“Law enforcement agencies are telling our workers, labourers and others engaged in freight activities that all trains are cancelled so there can be no exemption for any railway worker."
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“We get rice from West Bengal, pulses from Katni and Satna in Madhya Pradesh, and mustard oil from Rajasthan. Trucks are being stopped at inter-state borders."

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“The government has locked everything down. Trucks are not being allowed to ply on roads… If the transport chain breaks, it poses danger to the supply of essential commodities."
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Grofers Head of Customer Experience, “Unfortunately, our delivery team has been held up at checkpoints and some of our warehouses have been locked by local authorities, as the situation due to #Covid19 remains very uncertain.”

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Both Grofers and Freshtohome said they were trying to procure curfew passes to operate in Delhi.
#coronaviruslockdown #covid19 #coronavirusindia #21daysoflockdown

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