The southern Indian coastal state of Tamil Nadu shares its borders with three other states. It has erected seven-foot walls on the roads bordering Andhra Pradesh to halt vehicular traffic amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country and forcing stringent lockdown measures.
The walls have been raised on key entry and exit points on the two highways, Chittoor-Ponni-Chennai road and Chittoor-Gudiyatham road in Chittoor district.
The decision to raise the walls at the Andhra border has raised concerns among people as they fear that the decision could do more harm than good as it will also halt the movement of essential supplies.
A wall being constructed at Tamil Nadu's border with Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh on inter-state highway!
— Dr. Ashok Dhamija (@ashokdhamija) April 27, 2020
Will it not stop even transport of essential goods and emergency services, even when needed?
Was it not better to use barricades to block road instead of putting up a wall? pic.twitter.com/ro6HvCgHp6
Doesn't it affect inter-state essentials transportation?#TamilNadu closed three routes to #AndhraPradesh by building walls.
— P Pavan (@pavanmirror) April 27, 2020
Officials of border districts are in talks. #lockdownhustle pic.twitter.com/TKMVbUP9U7
This is too bad, I don't know what to say.. Cases increases like this we no need to wonder all states will construct walls in India. See the truth sir @ysjagan. @K_Nageshwar @JP_LOKSATTA @VVL_Official @ncbn
— Govardhana Rao Ganji (@GanjiGovardhana) April 27, 2020
Tamil Nadu constructs wall at Andhra border. https://t.co/t3E0QNbduD
Another netizen said that the pandemic is getting on the nerves of authorities and it would lead to difficulties for people travelling between states to obtain medical services.
@collectorctr Tamilnadu has built walls across all its borders. It is difficult for Chittoor people to travel to CMC hospital vellore for emergencies.Please speak with TN govt to ease restrictions atleast for going to hospital sir
— Gowtham (@gowthamWrites) April 27, 2020
Vehicles coming from other checkposts will also be rerouted and those coming to the state through other states will be made to undergo health checkups for COVID-10 at special medical camps set up at Paththalapalli, Paradarami, Christianpet, and Serkadu check posts.
The coronavirus cases have surged to 27,892 in India and have been accompanied by 872 deaths, according to government data.