For the second consecutive day this week, Mumbai has seen coronavirus cases rising above the 500-mark. As a result, despite growing demand to increase the timings of Mumbai suburban local train services for the general public, it seems like commuters are unlikely to get any immediate relief.
Earlier this week, taking a note of the displeasure expressed by commuters, BMC Additional Commissioner Suresh Kakani had said that since the local train services resumed, the authorities are keeping a close watch and will continue to be cautious for the next 15 days.
However, within a few days, the civic body has now clarified that due to rising COVID cases, the passengers are unlikely to get to travel in local trains round the clock.
The city has crossed the 500-mark cases mark thrice in the last 12 days. Fortunately, the daily death toll has been below five for the last 10 days.
On February 3, there were 503 COVID-19 cases, three days after local train services were thrown open for the general public. Whereas, on February 10 and 11, the city reported 550 and 510 cases, respectively.
According to reports, the administration is reviewing if COVID patients are increasing due to the increase in local train timings for general passengers. The review will continue till February 20, and till then, the order has been given to not increase timings for the general public.
Several politicians have also demanded a change in local train timings, questioning the logic behind the select schedule.
The local train services in Mumbai, which were hit due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, resumed for the general public from February 1. However, they are available for the common commuters only in three-time slots: from the start of the day's services to 7 am; 12 pm to 4 pm; and 9:00 pm to the end of the day.
On the immunisation front, the number of people inoculated against COVID-19 crossed the 1-lakh mark.
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