Odisha govt scales down operations at six interstate border checkpoints

BHUBANESWAR: On day four of the unlock 1.0, the Odisha government has lifted restrictions at six interstate 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 interstate BCPs came at a time when the state government apprehends surge in Covid-19 positive cases in next three weeks. “We admit it will be a challenge for us to keep track on people returning to the state through the six BCPs. As told earlier, we have urged village and ward-level committees to keep track on 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 5410 buses carrying 1.47 lakh people have reached the state through the 12 border checkpoints. Nearly 39 thousand people have so far entered via four-wheelers and motorcycles.
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