The Maharashtra government’s new guidelines have placed Mumbai at Level 3. However, the suburban local trains continue to remain only for those on essential duties and medical sector; there is some relief as far as other modes of transportation like metro rail, buses, cabs or auto rickshaws are concerned. However, this has not gone down well with the rail passenger associations as they feel that opening up offices would not mean anything if trains are not available.
These passenger associations are pointing out at the way people travelled this time; last year when they queued up at bus stands and bus stations to come all the way till Mumbai for work. “There is no point in opening up offices at 50 percent and running them till 4 pm; unless government allows everyone to travel by local trains. For those residing beyond Borivali and Thane; travel will once again be nightmarish,” said Subhash Gupta, president, Rail Yatri Parishad.
The suburban local trains for instance, which is operating at around 90 percent of the total services, will continue to remain inaccessible to most Mumbaikars. As per the new guidelines, at level 3, local trains will be ‘restricted for medical, essential duties and women. The DMA may put extra restriction,’ read the new guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government on late Friday evening.
According to railway officials women commuters – there are around 12-15 lakh on both Central and Western Railways – who could have been allowed to travel in local trains as per level 3 norms. However, by Saturday evening the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai came up with another guideline whereby they have disallowed ‘women’ from travelling in local trains.
The state government made MCGM as a nodal body to decide on behalf of all municipal corporations across MMR where local trains ply. “Those who are allowed to travel depends’ on which level Mumbai and MMR would be. However, we will follow guidelines as directed by the state government and those categories of people shall be allowed,” said a senior railway official.
At present around, 14-16 lakh people on essential duties are allowed to travel in local trains on both CR and WR. “Ideally the government should have taken into consideration those people who have been vaccinated with both doses and allowed them to travel in local trains,” said Nandkumar Deshmukh, president, Federation of Suburban Railway Passengers Association.
The railways are also contemplating resuming long distance trains as they expect demand for inter-state and inter-district travel to gain pace. As for inter-district travel for passengers either by private cars, buses, taxis and long distance trains; regular travel is allowed except if passenger is moving to or passing through any stoppage in level 5. Here, e-pass remains to be mandatory for passengers.
At level 3, norms state that offices can remain open till 4pm with 50 percent attendance. The public transport buses operated by the BEST will be allowed to carry passengers at 100 percent though without standing. Even taxis and auto rickshaws can ply but by following Covid norms. “We hope that soon Mumbai and MMR reach Level 1 so that all taxis and rickshaws can ply safely carrying passengers,” said Thampy Kurien, union leader.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metro One will be increasing metro service trips by 30 percent from June 7. New improved frequency will be 10 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes during off-peak hours. In addition, based on commuter requests, the operational hours will be extended by 1 hour. The first train from Versova will be at 6:50 am and the last train from Ghatkopar will be at 10:15 pm.
source https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-locals-for-flws-relief-for-mumbaikars-in-other-modes-of-transportation
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