The ministers under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have put forth the suggestion in a recently held meeting about resuming domestic flight operations in specific COVID-free areas once the lockdown is lifted across India after May 3. However, a government functionary told TOI that the final decision rests on the feedback given by home ministry and civil aviation ministry once the status of COVID-19 infection in the states is reviewed.
During the meeting, the ministers were not in favour of any immediate relaxation on inter-state movement by other modes of transport like trains or public and private vehicles even after May 3.
As told to the TOI by a government official, whether or not the lockdown has to be extended, will be decided after considering the situation across India. News also has it that the ministry was concerned about resuming inter-state travel, and also felt that it would be a risky business to restart travel within the states. It was also discussed that the trains should not be permitted to run soon after the lockdown is lifted.
On the other hand, Home Minister Amit Shah has examined the operations of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) control room and made an overall assessment of the situation in different Indian states. The meeting was also attended by G Kishan Reddy, Nityanand Rai, the home secretary and other officials of the ministry.
The MHA control room is working non-stop. It is in touch with all the ministries and states to resolve matters pertaining to the implementation of lockdown.