Delhi-Gurugram road jam-packed with vehicles as Haryana shuts border

The Delhi-Gurugram border was chock-a-block with vehicles on Friday (May 29) morning, after the Haryana government sealed routes connecting the national capital with the state in view of the rise in COVID-19 infections.

Police stationed at the borders were seen checking passes and identity cards of commuters, only allowing people engaged in essential services to pass.

“No new guidelines have come yet. We are following guidelines of Lockdown 4.0,” ANI quoted Bhim Singh, a sub-inspector as saying.

Haryana home minister Anil Vij on Thursday (May 28) said the state will shut all its borders with Delhi while allowing the entry of essential services.

He said there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in the districts that share border with the national capital.

“The main reason behind the spike in cases is the entry of people from Delhi into areas of Haryana which share its border with Delhi,” he said. “In the last one week, Faridabad reported 98 cases, Jhajjar reported six cases, Sonipat 27 and Gurugram 111 cases. Barring those categories for which relaxation has been granted by the high court and the Home Ministry, the inter-state border should be sealed,” he added.

An official had earlier told Hindustan Times that the movement of people between Delhi and Haryana had increased after the easing of relaxations in Lockdown 4.0.

“There is a possibility that the authorities in the NCR districts have lowered their guard and are allowing unhindered access,” the official had said.

In an undertaking before the Delhi High Court, the Haryana government had said that the movement of people from Delhi to Haryana will be allowed if they show e-passes. The passes can be availed by those engaged in essential services.