Maharashtra government nod for resuming train services from February 1
What's the story
The Maharashtra government on Friday approved the resumption of suburban train services in Mumbai for the general public from February 1, a state official said. A railway official said that the state government's proposal has been conveyed to the competent authorities and a formal announcement regarding it is expected soon.
Information
Local commuters to be allowed to travel as per schedule
The State Government official said that the state Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar asked the Chief General Managers of Western and Central Railway to allow local train commuters to travel as per the laid down schedule.
Proposal
Proposed schedules for running the trains for locals
The chief secretary sent a proposal to the Railway Board. In the proposal, Kumar said that operations of local trains should be allowed from the start of services for the day to 7 am and then again from 12 pm to 4 pm, and from 9 pm to the closure of local train services for the day with effect from February 1, 2021.
Quote
Restricted to essential services staff between certain hours
The chief secretary further said, "The local train services will be restricted to the essential services staff only from 7 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 9 pm as is being permitted currently."
Details
Local trains were resumed for essential services staff last year
Local trains have been off bounds for the general public since March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The services of the local trains were resumed for the emergency and essential services staff in June last year. Later on, the authorities permitted women to travel in locals during the non-peak hours.
Background
204 special suburban trains were added on Friday morning
During normal times before the lockdown, the Central Railway (CR) used to operate 1,774 services daily, while the Western Railway (WR) would run 1,367 services on the suburban network. Currently, the railway authorities are operating 2,985 services, about 95 percent of the total 3,141 services, on Mumbai's suburban network. Of these, 204 special suburban services were added on Friday morning.