On Thursday, December 24, the Maharashtra minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Vijay Wadettiwar said that Mumbai’s suburban local trains may resume in the first week of January.
The minister’s statement comes two days after the Southern Railways allowed public travel during the non-peak hours, from December 23 onwards. BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had earlier said that suburban trains would be resumed for all after December 15 but it did not happen because of the surge in the coronavirus cases and fear of the second wave.
While interacting with the media, Wadettiwar said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is positive about the plan to resume services from the first week and that the final decision will be taken at the earliest.
“Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is positive about starting Mumbai's local train service for all in the first week of January. He is of the opinion that local services should be resumed for all in the first eight days of January,” he noted.
Wadettiwar said the state government had suggested that the Railways allow the public to commute in local trains after women passengers were permitted to travel during non-peak hours.
“The state government had also sent letters to the Railway Ministry, asking them to start local trains for all. But there was no answer. Railways cited logistical, procedural and safety issues. The state government had assured all possible help but Railways did not respond,’’ said Wadettiwar.
Mumbai's suburban train services were closed to the public in March when the lockdown was imposed, to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Gradually unlocking measures were taken. Initially, only employees from essential services were allowed to travel via local trains. Later, lawyers and women commuters were allowed to do so, with adherence to all COVID-19 protocols. Women can travel in local trains from 11 am to 3 pm, and 7 pm till midnight.
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