Tuesdays additions mean 700 services will run daily for only 3.14 lakh workers; pre-lockdown load was 1,357 services for 35 lakh people
Essential services employees alight from trains at Dadar Central station. File pic
In what can be termed as a gradual unlock, from tomorrow over 50 per cent of the Western Railway trains will run for 10 per cent of the commuters working in 15 categories of essential services. The AC locals, too, will be back in action on the WR section. Central Railway officials said they have also received necessary approvals from the state government to increase the number of services to 700 and are working on a timetable. However, the general public will not be allowed on the locals yet.
In the pre-lockdown time an average of 1,357 services were available for 35 lakh commuters daily on the Western Railway section, but now over 700 services will be thrown open for about 3.14 lakh commuters (latest figure). The WR on Tuesday announced that it was resuming the AC locals as well and increasing the number of daily services from 506 to 700, which is over 50 per cent of the pre-lockdown number.
ADVERTISEMENT
To avoid crowding
“In order to maintain social distancing and to avoid overcrowding, WR has decided to increase the number of daily special suburban services from 506 to 700 with effect from Thursday, October 15, by adding 194 additional services including 10 AC EMU services,” said Sumit Thakur, WR’s chief spokesperson. “Of the increased 194 services, 49 will be available during the morning rush hours and 49 during evening rush hours. This also includes the 10 AC services,” he added.
194 services increased
Of the total 194 increased services, 51 are on the Churchgate-Virar section, 96 on the Borivli-Churchgate section, nine on the Bhayandar-Virar section, 12 on the Nalasopara-Churchgate section, nine on the Churchgate-Bhayandar section, two on the Vasai Road-Churchgate section, eight on the Bandra-Borivli section and eight on the Churchgate-Bandra section.
Special trains
Thakur said that the commuters permitted by the state government were allowed to travel in the special trains and they should follow COVID-19 protocols and social distancing norms.
194
Total no. of services that have been increased on the WR section
Keep scrolling to read more news
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
