India's Odisha state extends Covid-19 lockdown

India's eastern state of Odisha has become the first jurisdiction to extend its Covid-19 lockdown beyond the scheduled nationwide end date of 14 April.

The lockdown in Odisha will stay in place until 30 April, the state government said today. Odisha is home to iron ore, coal and mineral mines and state-controlled oil company IOC's 300,000 b/d Paradip refinery.

Odisha's chief minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the national government to extend the lockdown across the country and to not resume air and train services.

The Odisha decision makes it increasingly likely that India's coronavirus-control measures will be extended beyond 14 April. The national government has already hinted that the lockdown will only be lifted on a staggered basis.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is due to consult all state chief ministers on 11 April before making a decision on the extension.

Lockdowns by individual states will complicate any measures to lift the nationwide restrictions, given it is not possible for states to be shut if trains and planes – which are controlled by the federal government – continue to operate. State-controlled carrier Air India is only accepting bookings after 30 April.

The lockdown in Odisha has already forced India's Tata Steel to suspend operations at its cold rolling mill and downstream units in the state, while coal mines and ferro-alloy plants in the state have also been shut.

The restrictions will also delay several energy, iron ore and coal mining projects because of lack of materials and labour. Total and private-sector Adani are building a 5mn t/yr LNG import terminal at Dhamra in Odisha. IOC has a 680,000t/yr polypropylene plant at the Paradip refinery and is adding a 357,000t/yr monoethylene glycol and 1.2mn t/yr paraxylene/purified terephthalic acid production facility. The government is also developing a major natural gas transmission project in the east of the country, with Odisha as its hub.

The northern state of Punjab yesterday announced an extension of the curfew in the state until 30 April but later revoked the order. The Telengana state government has recommended a shutdown until the end of May.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi are among the worst hit states as the coronavirus outbreak worsens. Delhi and neighboring Uttar Pradesh have sealed off entire areas of some cities and towns to stop the spread of the virus.

By S Dinakar

source: Argus Media