Bengal: Doctors express concern as people flout COVID norms on local trains

Doctors expressed concern overflouting of COVID safety norms in suburban trains that resumedservices in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal onWednesday, warning that the pandemic situation woulddeteriorate.

People jostled at several stations to catch the trainswith compartments crammed as services resumed after sevenmonths in the morning.

Doctors said that such violations are ideal for thespread of the virus, diminishing the gains made over the pastfew weeks in the fight against the contagion.

“We can clearly see people are not abiding by theCOVID-19 safety protocols and this is definitely a matter ofconcern for us,” said Dr Anirban Dalui, a public healthspecialist.

“The problem is that those who are asymptomatic orhave mild symptoms are travelling on the trains, risking thelives of people who are not taking proper precaution,” hesaid.

Dr Hiralal Konar of the Joint Platform of Doctorsblamed improper planning by the state government and therailways for the violations.

“The situation is quite alarming. I fear that if itgoes on, the virus will spread to a level where it will bebeyond control,” he told

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