Slum cluster in Kolkata has emerged as role model for COVID 19-hit city: Civic body official
The congested slum belt, spanning two sq km, hasbecome a role model for the rest of the city with itssuccessful implementation of lockdown norms, he said.
Swapan Samaddar, a member of the Board ofAdministrators at Kolkata Municipal Corporation, told ,that the bustee -- home to 3,0000 people - was taken off thelist of containment zones last week, and the authoritiesdeclared it a green zone on Sunday.
"As no fresh cases were reported in the past threeweeks, the slum, which had recorded seven to eight coronaviruscases including two deaths in April, has zero cases now. Wewill implement the Belgachhia model in other congestedcontainment zones like Topsia," Samaddar said.
After the slum was declared a coronavirus hotspot onApril 14, as several cases tumbled out of the area, all lanesleading to the bustee were barricaded and police pickets setup to regulate movements.
Residents were asked to stay at home and local clericsroped in to convince people to follow the safety norms.
The KMC official thanked the local clubs, voluntaryorganisations and religious leaders in the area, for theirconcerted efforts to stem the spread of the disease.
"The shutdown was enforced in the slum in letter andspirit. From barricading entry points to spraying ofdisinfectants and home delivery of essentials, all possiblesteps were taken to control the spread. Shortly after, thenumber of cases decreased in the locality," he said.
Samaddar noted that stand alone shops apart fromgrocery stores will be allowed to resume business in the areaduring the day time.
"Police and KMC personnel, however, will not lower theguards and random tests would continue. The local clinic willmonitor the health of residents from time to time," he said.
The KMC official expressed confidence that congestedslums in Topsia, Rajabazar, Metiabruz and Dhakuria areas willalso be declared green zones in the coming days, after theBelgachhia model is implemented in these places. SUSRMS RMS