Delhi weekend curfew brings back memories of last year's lockdown

Deserted roads, shuttered-down high streets and empty eateries haunted traders and retailers on Saturday

The year’s first weekend curfew in Delhi brought back memories of last year’s stringent lockdown, which had halted life and taken a heavy toll on livelihoods.

It was as though the clock had been turned back — so strong was the sense of déjà vu. Deserted roads. Shuttered shops. The vigil by men in uniform. Sights still imprinted in the mind from last year. In a flash, they all returned.

Connaught Place (CP), Delhi’s heritage high street, hardly received any visitors. Except for a handful of bank branches, the India Post Office and half a dozen restaurants in the inner circle, all