The local trains are hailed as the lifeline of Mumbai. However, to control the spread of coronavirus the services of local trains were suspended when the countrywide lockdown was announced. After three months of strict lockdown, the local services resumed operations but they have been ferrying people that are engaged in essential services.
Now with the number of people increasing, Western Railways has decided to increase the number of trains. Western Railways is currently running 350 trains and come Monday, September 21, this number will increase to 500 trains.
This has been done to ensure that there is no overcrowding in the train and to ensure social distancing.
Western Railways in a statement shared, "The number of daily special suburban services will be increased from 350 to 500 on Western Railway from September 21 to maintain social distancing and avoid crowding. The essential staff as notified by the state government to travel in local trains is requested to follow social distancing and wear a mask during travel".
However at this junction only Western Railways has increased their service
Here are the details of the services that have increased:
In addition to this, 30 (both up and down) will be added during the morning peak time and 29 (both up and down) in the evening peak hours.
Central Railways on the other hand while speaking to Mumbai Live shared that they have adequate trains running. They currerlty are running 355 trains and have no plans to increase the same in the near future.
Apart from increasing the suburban trains, Western Railways is also planning to run 5 pairs of Clone Special trains from 21 September 2020 till further notice. This is being done considering the huge demand for travel on specific routes.
These Clone trains will run on notified timings and will be fully reserved trains with Humsafar type rakes and similar charges.
Western Railway to run 5 pairs of Clone Special trains w.e.f. 21st September, 2020 on specific routes of huge demand of travel.
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) September 18, 2020
Booking will open from 19th September,2020 at nominated PRS counters & IRCTC website.#specialtrains #railways pic.twitter.com/capsmyDe3c
Out of the 5 pairs of clone specials which are being made operational, 3 trains are from Ahmedabad and one each from Bandra Terminus and Surat. The trains originating from Western Railway are Ahmedabad- Darbhanga, Ahmedabad- Delhi, Ahmedabad- Patna, Bandra Terminus- Amritsar and Surat- Chhapra. The Clone Special trains will be in addition to special trains which are already in operation.
In addition to this, Western Railways will also be operating Special Train between Dadar and Bhuj on daily basis from 22nd Sept. 2020.
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