Coronavirus: Change in timing of petrol pumps, know about time in Pune

Pune, March 20, 2020: In the backdrop of Coronavirus outbreak, Pune petrol dealers association has changed the timing of petrol pumps.

From March 21 (Saturday) to March 31, the petrol pumps in Pune city will be open from 8 am to 4 pm.

While the petrol pumps outside Pune city, will remain open between 7 am till 11 pm.

Meanwhile, Ali Daruwala, spokeperson of All India petrol dealers Association, said, “Petrol pumps come under Essential Commodity Act and it cannot be shut. Therefore, petrol pumps who are willing to operate their stations even after 4 pm are free to do so. This is testing time for everbody and we will not hold common people hostage for want of petrol and diesel, emergency service’s like Ambulances, police force, government administration who need fuel in need will get fuel, and common people will not be held at receiving end and troubled.”

He further said that All India Petrol Dealers Association has supported the clarion call of Prime minister to support the nation in keeping it safe and clean and at 5 pm all petrol pump attendents will face the road and clap in solidarity to cheer all the people who are helping in this time of need and national crisis.

All shops, offices in Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur closed down from midnight barring essential commodities shops

Stating that it is not possible to close down public transport completely, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that there is a need to make more vigorous efforts to prevent the spread of Corona epidemic and it is essential to take more precautions for next 15 to 20 days. As a part of these precautions, the Chief Minister told that the presence in Government offices would be brought down to 25 per cent.

During his live broadcast, Chief Minister announced that all shops, establishments and private offices would be closed down till March 31st which fall in Mumbai Metropolitan Region as well as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur. He announced that these orders would be implemented from midnight and only shops which are related to essential commodities, milk and medical shops can be opened.

Stating that if at all there is any doubt in the minds of people, they can contact either district collector or municipal commissioner, Chief Minister appealed it to the shop owners that even though the shops are closed down, please do not stop paying their daily minimum wages or salaries to the workers working in the shops since they have their livelihood on their jobs.

Stating that time has come for all of us to remain at home to be alive, Chief Minister said that many people have started helping and many stalwarts have stopped their work to help us. He said that he thanks people from the film industry and sports field who have taken initiative in this regard.

Stating that whatever Government was doing for the larger public interest, Chief Minister said that many people have suggested to close down trains and buses but how can we provide transport to people who are working for emergency services? How would municipal corporation workers and drivers of various Government vehicles commute? That is the reason, we have decided against stopping public transport and have brought down the number of employees in Government offices to 25 per cent. He reminded that it was only two days back that he had taken the decision of bringing down this number to fifty per cent.