Bhubaneswar gets nightlife back as shops stay open longer
BHUBANESWAR: Night life in the city is gradually returning to normal as people, enthused by the fall in daily Covid cases, feel more confident about staying outside for a longer period of time.
In the first few phases of the unlock process, residents did not feel safe enough to be out for long, even though night curfew had been lifted. Markets would be deserted and shopkeepers would be idle by the time it would strike 8 in the evening. Now, however, people are seen buying groceries and vegetables even after 10 pm. Shops that would earlier close at 9 pm now remain open till 11 pm.
People are also eating out in greater numbers. Roadside eateries, which were allowed to function after Unlock 3, were not doing enough business earlier as people would head home by 9 pm. Now, eateries serving hot ghuguni (chana), local delicacies, gupchup and dahi bara-aloo dum are seen open till late in the night. Stationery shops, dry food stalls, bakeries and ice cream parlours are also serving people at night.
“After months of staying at home and maintaining restraint, we are a bit more relaxed now. Our fear has waned considerably, although not subsided completely. The advantage of night shopping, especially of vegetables, is that crowds are less and prices lower. As far as safety is concerned, we are wearing masks and sanitising our hands,” said Binay Panigrahi, a resident of Palasuni.
Fast food stalls, which would be empty in September, are now seeing more takeaways. Many such centres have reduced seating capacity to prevent crowds. “Fast food centres started seeing a rush from October. People are conscious now, and only visit those kiosks where the norms are being followed,” said Pradip Barik, a fast food kiosk owner in Indradhanu market.
Fruit and fruit juice centres are also attracting people. Those who go to shop in a big market and stay there for three to four hours often buy a glass of juice or a shake. The demand for fruit juice used to be low earlier as people feared infection.
Gayadhar Swain, president, Rajadhani Haata Byabasayi Sangha, said, “Now, the vendors are a bit happy as they are able to exhaust their stock. However, it will take time for complete normality to return,” he said.
The city’s daily Covid count on Monday was 74. With 168 deaths and 27,958 recoveries, the city now has 1,163 active cases. The total Covid count jumped to 29,310.