COVID-19: Odd-even rule to be in force in Delhi's wholesale markets

The Delhi government will implement odd-even rules — similar to the ones implemented earlier to combat air pollution — in all wholesale markets in the city, under which traders will sell vegetables on alternate days.

Speaking to PTI, Development Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday (April 13) that, according to the odd-even rule, sheds under which hundreds of traders sell vegetables will be allowed to operate according to their numbers, Rai said.

The minister also said the government has also decided to stagger the timings for the sale of vegetables and fruits in these mandis. “Vegetables will be sold from 6 am to 11 am and fruits from 2 pm to 6 pm in all wholesale markets in Delhi,” he said.

The decisions were taken to prevent further spread of the coroanvirus at a high-level meeting chaired by the development minister.

There are five major wholesale vegetable and fruit markets in the national capital, including the Azadpur mandi, the Ghazipur mandi, and the Okhla mandi. Also, there two wholesale anaj mandis (wheat markets) at Najafgarh and Narela.

The minister also said that the Delhi government has formed four special task forces to ensure effective social distancing in the mandis in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Delhi has confirmed 1,154 positive cases, with the death toll at 24. Meanwhile, the total number of cases across the country has gone up to 9,152, with the toll at 308.

(With inputs from agencies)