Mangaluru: After reports surfaced that some roads between Karnataka and Kerala had been opened, confusion and fear gripped the Dakshina Kannada district as the Kasargod district in Kerala has one of the highest numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
According to an IANS report, Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who has roots in the Kasargod district, held a few rounds of talks with Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa and Pinarayi Vijayan and chief secretaries, and it was decided to allow vehicles to enter into Kerala from three state borders – one at the Mangaluru side and two others at the entry of the Wayanad district.
Nodal officer of the DK district for coronavirus cases, V Ponnuraj, during a press briefing in the evening, said that there no roads have been opened between the two states.
“There are 21 entry points from Kerala to the DK district. All of these have been blocked. There is no entry even for ambulances. This is being done so that the situation doesn’t deteriorate,” he had said.
Minister D V Sadananda Gowda later clarified that the three roads have been opened only for essential goods transport vehicles plying from Karnataka to Kerala. No vehicles from Kerala, not even ambulances with emergency cases, will be allowed to enter Karnataka.
But the Virajpet border in Karnataka near the Kerala town of Iritty in Kannur district continues to remain closed, as there has been a strong local upsurge against the opening of the border.
Even Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath issued a clarification on Facebook.
“Borders between Karnataka – Kerala ( TALAPADY) has not opened. No vehicles or any individuals are allowed. Stay Calm. Mangaloreans Safety is the Priority, [sic]” the MLA wrote.
Now, that the borders have been opened, trucks laden with vegetables and essential commodities will now reach the Kerala markets, especially in the northern districts of the state.
(With inputs from IANS)
