Mumbai Local Trains, known as the lifeline of the city, have been operational currently only for essential service employees. The state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have restricted general public to travel on the local trains. This decision has not been appreciated by the people as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the livelihoods for many months now, where people have not been able to earn their living due to the restrictions imposed by the body.
Demands have been made frequently by the citizens and opposition parties to consider allowing general public in the local trains. The state government has permitted relaxations for the last few weeks as the COVID-19 cases have reduced significantly. Moreover, many citizens have been administered with the atleast one dose of the vaccine. Keeping these aspects in mind, the government has been mulling over the decision to allow the train services for all the people and the decision regarding the same is expected in the next few days.
Reports state that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Health Minister Rajesh Tope and other officials from the government have been discussing the matters. They have also hinted that a decision regarding the same will be announced soon, whereby all travel-related restrictions will be lifted for those who have received both the doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
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In an interaction with the media, Minister Ajit Pawar, said that the matters will be discussed with the Chief Minister post which official announcements are expected, however, the same might be approved for fully vaccinated citizens only, which will allow them to resume their normal lifestyle as desired.
Over the last few days, members form Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have demanded the state government to reconsider the restrictions and take a call on allowing people to resume their daily work, as not commuting by the local trains has affected many people in the city, especially those living far away. On the other hand, a public interest litigation (PIL was filed at the Bombay High Court by a Mumbai-based CA, demanding the state to relax all travel-related restrictions for citizens administered with both the vaccines.
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray recently wrote to the CM stating that it was time the government began easing the curbs for a common man to travel in the local trains, as people have been patient and supportive for many months now, however, they have suffered enough. Lifting the restrictions in a timely manner will only help them reduce the burden, he said.
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COVID-19 cases in Mumbai and nearby areas have reduced, however, the government has observed that the citizens are not following the COVID-19 guidelines as suggested by the officials. Moreover, people have been flouting the rules when in public, and keeping the third wave predictions in mind, this could pose concerns for the public, as COVID cases could rise once again due to negligence.
Clarifying the matter, Minister Rajesh Tope has said that the department will assess all the aspects before making an official announcement, and a detailed report will be prepared by the officials and sent to the state COVID task force basis which the decision will be taken by the CM.
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