Advertisement

Maharashtra govt planning to restrict general public from using local trains

According to state government official, the number of passengers in all three lines increased four times after the train was resumed for general public. Earlier, the BMC chief has warned the citizens to follow "COVID-appropriate" behaviour.

Maharashtra govt planning to restrict general public from using local trains
(File Image)
SHARES

Amid a sharp spike in coronavirus cases, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government is contemplating to bar common people from boarding local train services again.

The government is expected to take a final decision in the upcoming days after reviewing the situation, reports suggested.

Mumbai local trains returned to full services for common people from February 2 after a hiatus of 10 months. It is believed that the rise in COVID-19 cases to the resumption of suburban services.

Moreover, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on Tuesday, February 23, in an interview said that a chunk of cases could be attributed to public movement after local trains resumed services for the general public.

IS Chahal said, “I had earlier mentioned that it would take us three weeks to understand if the trains have caused any rise in cases. Now we are exactly three weeks away from February 1 and some cases may have been attributed to the huge movement in trains in COVID times.”

Due to this Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra is exploring two options - either curtail the allotted time slots for the general public or completely restrict them from taking local trains and allow only people maintaining essential services and providing medical care.

However, a state minister said that they will not restrict the general public from commuting on the train, but may reschedule the timings for them in days to come.

According to a state government official, the number of passengers in all three lines increased four times after the train was resumed for the general public. He also stated that the state government might either revoke the permission given to the general public completely or reduce the allotted time slot reduce the crowding in the locals.

Earlier, the BMC chief has warned the citizens to follow "COVID-appropriate" behaviour as Mumbaikars might face problems weeks later if it is not observed.

RELATED TOPICS
Advertisement
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates