After being shut for over 10-months due to the COVID-19 enforced lockdown period, the Mumbai local trains are all set to open for the public starting February 1. The decision to open local trains for all was taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on January 29.
(All photos: Bipin Kokate)
On Saturday, Western Railways were seen gearing up to start local services for Mumbaikars from February 1 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local train services will be thrown open for the general public from February 1 with staggered timings. As per the announcement by the Chief Minister's Office, travel for the general public will be allowed till 7 am from the start of the first local train then from 12 pm to 4 pm and then after 9 pm.
The local train services will be restricted to the essential services staff only as is being permitted currently from 7 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 9 pm.
Ahead of the preparations for the opening up of local train services for Mumbaikars, Western Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Sumit Thakur urged passengers to adhere to COVID-19 norms and protocols in order to combat the virus and ensure smooth operations of trains.
The Western Railway has formed teams, which were seen carrying out sanitisation of cabins and seating areas of the local trains at Mumbai Central carshed in South Mumbai.
"We will be increasing entry and exit points, ticket booking counters with time. Our staff including Railway Police Force officials will be available to regulate the crowd," Western Railway's CPRO Sumit Thakur said.
It must be noted that the operations of Mumbai local train services were shut for passengers on March 22, 2020, for almost ten months due to the spread of COVID-19 and the lockdown period that followed after.
Speaking to mid-day, a railway official said that they will be pening all the possible entry/exit gates, foot overbridges, lifts, and escalators so that there are no hindrances at stations. The official also said that in order to control the crowd, the railways may take the assistance of city police and other authorities.
Besides opening up of local trains, the railway officials will also increase focus on conducting drives for wearing masks and against spitting and special teams will be formed to undertake them. Vending machines for masks and sanitisers will also be made available across all railway stations in Mumbai.
Reacting to Maharashtra Government's decision to open local trains for all, Central Railway chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said, "We have received the letter and same has been processed for getting approval of competent authority."
In picture: Western Railway workers carry out sanitisation of local trains as the city gears up to welcome back its lifeline.
ADVERTISEMENT