Photos: 'Janata curfew' underway across India, PM Narendra Modi urges people to stay indoors

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal, an unprecedented day-long 'Janta (civil) curfew' began on Sunday as people prepare to combat the possible outbreak of coronavirus in the country. | Above: A man wearing face mask walks in front of landmark Charminar during the Janata (civil) Curfew in Hyderabad.

As the 'Janata curfew' got underway at 7 am, people largely kept themselves indoor as part of the social distancing exercise to stop the spread of the virus and bare number of public transport vehicles plied on nearly empty roads. | Above: An auto rickshaw moves through a deserted road during the Janata curfew, in Kolkata.

All markets and establishments except those dealing in essential goods and services will be closed for the day. The 'Janata Curfew' will end at 9 pm. | Above: People ride along a nearly-deserted road in the old quarters of New Delhi.

Ahead of the start of the curfew, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "In a few minutes from now, the #JantaCurfew commences. Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace". | Above: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew', in Mumbai.

Modi said the steps to be taken now will help in the times to come. "Stay indoors and stay healthy," he said on Twitter. | Above: Security personnel stand guard on a deserted city street in Jammu.

In the national capital, the roads were deserted with barely some private vehicles and buses plying. Vendors were off the roads in the morning hours with people confining themselves to their homes. | Above: A deserted road near the Jama Masjid mosque, in the old quarters of New Delhi.

In Mumbai, the usually bustling western and eastern express highways and other arterial roads looked empty as people stayed in their homes to support the curfew. | Above: A general view of deserted roads is seen near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

No passenger train is operating from any railway station in the country from midnight to 10 pm on Sunday while all suburban train services will be reduced to a bare minimum as well. Metro services, including in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai, will remain suspended for the day. | Above: A deserted view of the railway platform amid the 'Janata Curfew', in Shimla.

Air carriers like GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara have announced that they will be curtailing domestic operations on Sunday. | Above: NSCBI airport in Kolkata wears a deserted look during the 'Janata curfew'.

Traders' body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced that they will keep their establishments shut across the country for the 'Janata curfew'. | Above: Empty streets and closed shops in Connaught Place area, in New Delhi.

A deserted view of the road amid 'Janata Curfew', in Bhopal on Sunday.

Security personnel stand guards on a deserted road at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Sunday, as 'Janta Curfew' was observed across the country

Security personnel wearing facemasks stand guard along a deserted street during a one-day nationwide Janata (civil) curfew, in Srinagar.

A police personnel stands guard on a deserted road during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew, in Siliguri.

Churchgate station wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Mumbai.

Marina beach wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Chennai.

Chiraiyatand bridge wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Patna.

A street dog is seen at a deserted Howrah Station during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Kolkata.

A bus stand wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Jalandhar.

An aerial view of deserted road near the Howrah Bridge as people observe 'Janata Curfew' in Kolkata on Sunday.

Deserted areas in front of Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Palace hotel are seen during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew, in Mumbai .

A general view of a deserted market is seen during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew, in Allahabad.

A general view of a deserted market is seen during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew, at Faridabad in Haryana.

A wholesale market wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Kolkata.

Commuters ride on a bicycle on a deserted city street during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Dhanbad.

An aerial view shows deserted JJ bridge against the backdrop of city's skyline during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew, in Mumbai.

A city street wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Bikaner.

A policeman wearing a mask as a precautionary measure against coronavirus stands guard at Agra Cantt Railway Station wear a deserted view during the Janata Curfew, in Agra on Sunday.

People rush for going their home as administration provide some buses during Janta Curfew, in Patna on Sunday.

A man wearing a facemask walks through a deserted road during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew, in Siliguri.

Deserted view of Howrah Bridge as people observe 'Janata Curfew' in Kolkata on Sunday.

A deserted Rajpath road is pictured during a one-day Janata (civil) curfew imposed as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi.

A metro station wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Chennai.

A security person sits at a closed petrol pump during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Prayagraj (Allahabad).

A highway wears a deserted look during 'Janata curfew' in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Navi Mumbai.