Mumbai local train services will operate with 100% seating capacity from today. Check Travel Restrictions
Central Railway and Western Railway will run suburban services in Mumbai at 100 percent capacity of pre-pandemic level from today i.e. 28 October. However, as per the official release, the existing travel restrictions for the general public will remain unchanged. This decision has been taken in view of the increasing rush of passengers.
A joint statement issued by CR and WR clarified that only categories identified by the government till date are allowed to travel as per standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Central Railway and Western Railway will run 1,774 and 1,367 services respectively on their suburban network from October 28. Zonal Railways used to operate many of these services before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presently, Central Railway and Western Railway are operating 1,702 and 1,304 suburban services respectively, which is 95.70 per cent of the total suburban services during normal period.
Shivaji Sutar, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway said, “The decision has been taken in view of the increasing number of passengers in local trains.” “While there will be an increase in the number of suburban services from Thursday, the existing travel restrictions on suburban locals will remain unchanged,” he said.
Currently, only government employees and employees of essential services are allowed to travel, other than suburban locals, fully vaccinated citizens who have completed a 14-day period after the second dose and who are over 18 years of age. are less.
Following the outbreak of the pandemic, the suburban services were completely stopped with effect from March 22, 2020. Later the Railways introduced suburban services for essential service categories, as identified by the Government of Maharashtra and approved by the Ministry of Railways with effect from June 15, 2020.
“The categories of passengers permitted by the state government and approved by the Ministry of Railways were subsequently extended to travel in suburban trains in August 2021 and in recent weeks,” the statement said.
The suburban locals are considered the lifeline of Mumbai. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 80 lakh commuters traveled by suburban locals.
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