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Number of commuters in Mumbai local trains increase post Dussehra

Queues at the ticket counters, across many stations in Mumbai, are increasing and passengers have to face difficulties at peak hours. Considering the same, demands are being made to at least allow the use of the UTS app.

Number of commuters in Mumbai local trains increase post Dussehra
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Mumbai's lifeline, the local train services (Mumbai local) was shut down for a few months due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. However, services later resumed but were allowed only for workers from the essential service, until lately, where women have been permitted to travel by the local train.

However, the general public is yet to get permission regarding the same and the state government is giving thorough consideration amidst the increasing COVID-19 cases. Lakhs of commuters on a daily basis depend on local trains for their work and earning, and not having the facility to travel by the same, is leading to concerns in managing everyday life. 

At present, bank employees, Dabbawalas, lawyers and women are allowed to travel along with the workers from the essential services. Over the last few days, officials have witnessed a significant increase in the number of passengers on Mumbai local, and as per reports, the number has increased by over a lakh in just 7 days as women passengers have been allowed. This figure before Dussehra 2020 was around 35,000 to 40,000 passengers per day. Besides this, it is understood that about 8 lakh passengers travel on the Central, Western and Harbour Railway lines every day.

Data indicates that more than 4.10 lakh passengers are travelling on the Western Railway and about 4 lakh on the Central Railway. More than 8 lakh passengers on all the three routes have to rely on ticket windows on a daily basis, and as a result, the queues at the ticket counters are increasing in many stations and passengers have to face difficulties. Considering the same, demands are being made to at least allow the use of the UTS app.

Recently, the government also allowed private security guards to travel by local trains and this move is said to help them save money during the financial crisis.

Others who do not have the access to local trains are forced to travel by road and have to face traffic, potholes and other issues which adds to the trouble in the journey. It is said that several senior citizens have to travel on a regular basis for treatment and are finding this mode of commute extremely difficult, due to lack of proper facilities.

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