In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, the revenue of the Western Railways has sunk to the tune of ₹1,959 crores. Out of this, loss of ₹291 crores has been incurred due to closure of suburban railway services in Mumbai. According to Western Railway, the loss of ₹1,668 crores was due to closure of long-distance and other services.
As a result of the coronavirus induced lockdown in the country, the Western Railways had to refund people's tickets. From March 1 to July 31, Western Railway has refunded ₹407.84 crores to the passengers. Of this, ₹195.68 crores were refunded to passengers in the Mumbai division.
The local trains which resumed operations June 15 are currently plying only for the people who are engaged in essential services. Only the government employees or medical personnel are permitted to travel by the local train.
However, this has been a big blow to many employees who come to work in Mumbai from far away places. Therefore, there is a constant demand from the people that the local trains in Mumbai be made operational.
On July 22, hundreds of commuters agitated at the Nalasopara ST (state transport bus) stand and got down onto the train tracks at the station demanding that they should be permitted to travel in the local trains. This incident took place after the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRT) buses did not arrive at the bus stop.
Meanwhile, the BMC Commissioner, IS Chahal, addressing the concerns of the people had earlier stated that the local trains in Mumbai would only resume for the general public when the surge in cases of coronavirus in the city halts.
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