Amidst the stressful lockdown and coronavirus pandemic, there is a piece of good news for Mumbaikars who are waiting for the Mumbai local trains to resume. This mode of transport is used by lakhs of people every day and hence it is often referred to as the lifeline of Mumbai. In a recently released report, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) has expressed confidence that the public transport services, offices and schools in Mumbai can be operational from November 1, 2020, and the report in this regard has been submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
TIFR prepared this report by studying the coronavirus outbreak and the cases using a mathematical model, which stated that up to 30 per cent of regular services in Mumbai can be started this month. With improvements by the end of September, this can be increased up to 50 per cent in October, and from November 1, the routine of the entire city can be resumed.
It will also be possible to start offices and public transport services for all, primarily on strict guidelines, terms and conditions. Adherence to social discrimination rules, wearing a face mask, maintaining hand hygiene, and regular disinfection of vehicles and workplaces will have to be made mandatory, the report said.
Furthermore, schools can be started as well and the report highlights the importance of the same. The team comprising of Sandeep Juneja (Director, School of Technology and Computer Science), Pralhad Harsha and Ramprasad Saptarshi have recommended that the school be started from January 1, 2021, after all, other situations are under control.
The team in its report also predicts the spread of coronavirus infection and added that with the way in which infection spread in May-June, 2020, indicated that the second wave of COVID-19 could occur in September 2020. Officials also stated that by December 2020 or January 2021, around 75 per cent of people in slums and 50 per cent in other areas may have the necessary antibodies, which could offer them the immunity needed initially.
All the states, including Maharashtra, are working hard to improve the economic situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the public is waiting to return to the financial capital for work.
As of Sunday, September 6, 2020, Maharashtra had more than 9-lakh coronavirus cases, and the state witnessed the highest single-day jump with more than 23,000 COVID-19 cases reported in 24 hours.
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