After months of lockdown, the Maharashtra government allowed the local trains in Mumbai to operate after taking permission from the Railway Ministry. However, only employees of the state and central governments and those working in the essential sector such as nationalised and private banks are allowed to travel via local trains as of now.
The number of passengers travelling to local trains is gradually increasing. It is being said that the employees working in private companies may be allowed to travel in the local trains. However, there has been no official announcement in this regard.
In a preliminary discussion during a meeting between Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and senior officials of state and railways, it was decided that one-fourth of employees working in private companies will be allowed to travel via local trains.
It is likely that the issue for allowing general passengers in the local trains will also be resolved soon. However, the final say in the decision lies with the Maharashtra government.
The number of local trains on Central and Western line has been increased. In the meeting, it was discussed that 30 per cent of the employees working in private companies should be allowed to use local train services before the upcoming festival. Moreover, private companies should change their work hours to avoid crowding.
It has been suggested that the office timings depending upon different areas should be changed in order to control the crowd in local trains. In the meeting, it was discussed that the BMC should be involved in coordinating with the city offices and railway administration to implement the measures.
It has also been suggested to change the office hours according to the areas for crowd control in the area. The meeting discussed the involvement of the Municipal Corporation to coordinate with the city offices and railway police and railway security force personnel to implement the measures.
Also Read - Mumbai Monorail To Restart From October 18
Share
Tweet
