Thousands leave Bengaluru fearing fresh lockdown

BENGALURU: Faced with a surge in Covid-19 cases and fearing another lockdown, thousands of Bengalureans were headed back to their hometowns, lining up bumper to bumper on the city’s exit roads on Saturday. Amid murmurs of another lockdown after the SSLC examination, several workers from other parts of Karnataka headed home.

There were huge snarls on Tumakuru road and other exit routes. Some said they had vacated their houses in the city and moving back home permanently. Authorities said traffic jams on Mysore Road were due to ongoing repairs. With total lockdown imposed on Sunday, effective from 8pm on Saturday, people left the city early in the morning.

KSRTC officials said many people are moving out of Bengaluru since Class 10 exams are over.

Covid cases have surged in Bengaluru in the past 10 days and the health infrastructure has come under strain. As of July 4, the city has 7,250 patients under treatment.

Rame Gowda, who worked as cab driver, said he would feel safer in his village in Maddur. “Cases in Bengaluru are rapidly rising and there are no hospitals to admit patients. I am worried about my life. Though I managed to survive the lockdown, now it has become impossible. I will work in the fields for a living. I will never come back to Bengaluru.”

Leelavathi, a resident of Peenya, was heading to Bellur Cross in Mandya. Stuffing all her belongings in a goods auto, she said her garment unit shut down 15 days ago.

“We have already lost our jobs and our family is not in a state to pay house rent. We decided to go back to our hometown before there is another lockdown.”