Normalcy is returning to the old city, slowly and steadily, with the roads witnessing some traffic since the early hours of the day.
The first to come onto the roads were the auto-rickshaw drivers and cabs since the early hours of the day. At several auto stands, the drivers were seen waiting anxiously for customers.
Auto drivers were seen standing at Chandrayangutta, Owaisi hospital junction, Santoshnagar, Edi Bazaar, Aliabad, and Lal Darwaza auto stand since early morning.
However, the sharing auto concept is missing from the scene as only two persons excluding the driver are allowed to travel in an auto.
“I am really happy. Finally, I am able to drive on the roads and take care of my family and other needs. After the announcement last night, I immediately washed my auto-rickshaw and after sehri I came on the road and earned Rs. 200 till now,”
said Maqsood, an auto-rickshaw driver at Aliabad.
Owners of haircutting saloons too rolled up their shutters in the morning and cleaned up their shops.
“I pray the crisis ends soon. After over 50 days we had opened our shops and await customers. We will be removing one seat in the shop so as to maintain social distance and will put chairs instead of the bench for the customer to sit till their turn comes,” said Anjaiyah, a barber at Falaknuma.
Shops and commercial establishments in the market are yet to open as they are awaiting officials from the GHMC to finalize the roster system.
Meanwhile, the police removed the barricades set up at different places in the city to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic. The traffic signals at various junctions are now operating to regulate the traffic flow.