Mumbai local train services, which were shut down during the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown, have resumed slowly over the last few months. After months of wait, many private and government employees are now travelling by the local train, which was started initially by the government, only for the employees in the essential services.
However, the wait for the common man continues and the services have not yet started for the general public, due to which the state government and the railway administration are being criticized both by the public and the opposition parties. In addition, frequent correspondence and agitations are being staged with demands to resume the local train services as soon as possible. With the services not being operational, many travel associations in the city have also expressed their displeasure.
In a recent move, the state government has made it clear in court that a decision on starting the same for everyone is expected next week, i.e. in mid-January 2021. Keeping this in mind, the Railway Passengers Federation has decided to suspend the protest immediately, however, the authorities have stated that the members might raise voice if the services are not started for everyone. Clarification has been offered regarding the same, behalf of the federation.
Reports state that the announcement on local train travel for all will be made this week and there are clear indications that the body might consider the 'Chennai Pattern' which will provide travel concessions to ordinary Mumbaikars, as a measure for crowd planning.
According to this, women might be allowed to travel at all times, however, other passengers might only be allowed to travel by local in the non-peak hour. This decision is expected to help prevent coronavirus infection, and the same has been learned from the Chennai Suburban Railway plans, which decided to allow passengers in three phases. In the first phase, passengers in essential services were given permission, and in the second phase, women were allowed to travel without rush hour.
In the third phase announced on December 23, 2020, the nod was given to the common passengers during the non-peak timings. On the lines of Chennai Railway plan, women were first given the opportunity to travel in Mumbai local and then in non-congestion time. It is understood that in the third and decisive phase, this pattern has been proposed to allow full-time travel for women and limited time travel for men.
Meanwhile, if the Mumbai local train does not operate by the coming Tuesday, the body would plan the protest immediately. Officials have been warned that the entire responsibility will be on the state administration.
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