This story is from June 5, 2020

Normalcy returns to border traffic flow

On day four of the unlock 1.0, the state government lifted restrictions at six inter-state border checkpoints (BCPs) and allowed normal flow of traffic from Thursday.
Normalcy returns to border traffic flow
Policemen distribute water bottles among migrants at the Jamsola checkgate in Mayurbhanj district
BHUBANESWAR: On day four of the unlock 1.0, the state government lifted restrictions at six inter-state border checkpoints (BCPs) and allowed normal flow of traffic from Thursday.
However, six other border checkpoints will continue to remain sealed to prevent unchecked arrival of stranded people from other states.
The state shares borders with Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
According to an order issued by the office of special relief commissioner, operations of interstate BCPs at Biramitrapur in Sundargarh district, Champua in Keonjhar district, Chandili in Koraput district, Kanktora in Jharsuguda district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district and Sunki in Koraput district have been scaled down.
Restrictions would continue to be in force at the BCPs at Girisola in Ganjam district, Jamsola in Mayurbhanj district, Kerada in Rayagada district, Laxmannath in Balasore district, Luharchati in Bargarh district and Motu in Malkangiri district. “We observed that the arrival of stranded people through the six checkpoints has decreased. So the six gates shall operate normally as in pre-Covid days,” a senior officer said.
Unsealing of the six inter-state BCPs came at a time when the state government apprehends surge in Covid-19 positive cases in the next three weeks. “We admit that it would be a challenge for us to keep track of people returning to the state through the six BCPs. As told earlier, we have urged village and ward-level committees to keep track of returnees and ensure they obey the quarantine rules,” the officer said.
Police and transport department officials, who have jointly been managing the border checkpoints, said they will intercept vehicles at the six unsealed BCPs, if required. “We will withdraw our manpower from the six BCPs after the scaled-down operations. But only a handful of staff may be allowed to keep vigil on suspicious movement of vehicles. Checking and registration of vehicles carrying returnees will continue at the other six checkpoints,” state transport commissioner Sanjeeb Panda said.
The state government on May 2 restricted the unchecked entry of returnees to the state and identified the 12 BCPs as the only designated entry points from other states.
So far, at least 5,410 buses carrying 1.47 lakh people have entered the state through the 12 border checkpoints. Nearly 39,000 people have so far entered via four-wheelers and motorcycles.
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About the Author
Debabrata Mohapatra

Debabrata Mohapatra is an Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Bhubaneswar. He had been writing for TOI from Puri since 2006 before joining the Bhubaneswar bureau in August 2010. He covers crime, law & order and Congress.

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