Drive launched to test auto drivers, veggie and fruit sellers in Patna

PATNA: The authorities on Monday launched a special drive of ‘Covid test for auto drivers, vegetable and fruit sellers ’ in Patna and Kaimur districts under Patna division. One autorickshaw driver was found Covid-19 positive in the rapid antigen test conducted on the first day of the drive in the city.


Divisional commissioner Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said the drive was being conducted at market places and auto stand in Patna to identify and isolate asymptomatic Covid-19 patients to stop the virus spread.

“The drive will also commence in Nalanda, Rohtas, Buxar and Bhojpur districts within a few days,” he said.

Around 105 vegetable and fruit sellers were tested at Income Tax roundabout and Anta Ghat while samples of 40 autorickshaw drivers were collected from the auto stand near Patna Junction. The antigen test report of all fruit and vegetable sellers were tested negative.

Three mobile teams carried out the special drive in different locations of the city. Each mobile team comprises two auxiliary nurse midwives, a lab technician, a magistrate, a transport officer and a PMC official.

Agarwal said the auto driver (45), who tested positive, was a resident of Postal Park. “He was asymptomatic. He was sent to the isolation centre at Phulwarisharif. The medical team will collect the swab samples of his family members. Besides, his contact tracing will also be done,” he said.

“If any vegetable or fruit seller and auto driver tests positive, he or she need not worry. The government will provide three meals and accommodation to them,” Agarwal said.

The commissioner said people who were tested negative received certificates. “This initiative will build up confidence among the residents, so that they can easily travel in autorickshaws and buy vegetables and fruits without fear of contracting the virus. We have set the target of testing 100 vegetable sellers and an equal number of fruit sellers as well as auto drivers,” Agarwal said.

Bihar State Auto Chalak Sangh’s general secretary Raj Kumar Jha appreciated the initiative. “Many auto drivers could not go for testing because of long queue and other financial reasons. But now the district transport officers have assured to collect samples of all the auto drivers and pay even for their treatment,” he said.

Meanwhile, a vegetable seller and an autorickshaw driver tested positive in Kaimur district. A total of 285 people were tested in the district.