The Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday, December 30, said that a decision to allow general commuters to board suburban trains in Mumbai will be taken after considering the trend of COVID-19 cases in New Year.
Tope also said that the state government is keeping a close watch on the situation and if cases do not spiral, a decision on resumption of local train services for the general public will be taken. The government is keeping a close watch on the situation.
"We understand suburban train services are the lifeline of Mumbai and a decision will be taken after considering how the positive cases are rising," Tope told reporters.
However, earlier this month, state cabinet minister Vijay Wadettiwar had hinted that the services could resume at the beginning of the New Year.
Currently, only certain categories of commuters, including those providing essential services, and women, can travel by local trains in the Mumbai region after obtaining a special pass in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The local trains, with the COVID-19 pandemic protocols, were opened gradually for essential services employees and later more categories of travellers were added, but full-scale operations still remain suspended.
Also Read: Awareness regarding Coronavirus to be made in Mumbai Local Trains
The suburban train services, used by nearly 80 lakh commuters daily in pre-COVID-era, were closed in March-end when a nationwide lockdown was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Share
Tweet
