Satellite images show Hyderabad’s IT corridor before and after lockdown

Hyderabad: On the first day of the lockdown, Hyderabad's IT corridor was not its usual bustling self as seen on satellite images captured at 11 a.m on 23 March. Before the shutdown, areas in Hi-Tech City were 'red' with heavy traffic. However, after the shutdown, the roads turned ‘green’ with very few vehicles plying on the roads.

Even though IT companies have been categorised as ‘essential services’ during the state lockdown, the police closed down many companies in Hyderabad as a precautionary measure amid the COVID-19 outbreak. For instance, three employees from the Amazon office in Gachibowli were picked up by the police for violating public health guidelines. Companies like Deloitte and Amazon had earlier provided a work-from-home option for its employees in the wake of the Corona virus crisis.

On March 23, Telangana recorded six new cases. Health minister Etela Rajender confirmed that the state has 33 positive COVID-19 cases. He said the three new cases include one person who has come from Sri Lanka. The other two patients are students who are residents of Somajiguda and Gachibowli.

Hyderabad wore a deserted look during the Janata curfew on 22 March. The busiest places in the city, including Khairatabad X roads, Ameerpet, Lakdi ka Pul junction, GVK One Mall near Banjara Hills, and Abids Circle saw less traffic. Traffic police officials were seen holding placards which read: “Good citizens support Janta Curfew”. Even usually crowded areas such as JNTU and Kukatpally were deserted. At the same time, passengers who were unaware of the curfew were left confused at the Secunderabad Railway station.