The Western Railway (WR) area of Indian Railways has decided to resume air-conditioned (AC) trains on Mumbai suburban services.
According to a Western Railway official, initially a total of 10 air conditioning services (2 slow services – 1 DOWN between Mahalaxmi-Borivali and 1 UP between Borivali- Churchgate and 8 fast services- 4 DOWN between Churchgate -Turn and 4 UP between Virar-Churchgate) will work.
Western Railway has also decided to increase the number of special suburban services.
To maintain social distancing and avoid overcrowding, Western Railway has made the decision to increase the number of daily special suburban services from 506 to 700 effective October 15 by adding 194 additional services, including 10 air-conditioned EMU services.
Of the 194 increased services, 49 services during morning rush hours and 49 services during night rush hours have been increased for the convenience of travelers.
Of the total 194 services increased, 51 services increased in the Churchgate-Virar sector, 96 services increased in the Borivali-Churchgate sector, 9 services increased in the Bhayandar-Virar sector, 12 services increased in the Nalasopara-Churchgate sector, 9 services increased in the Churchgate-Bhayandar sector, 2 services in the Vasai Road-Churchgate sector, 8 services in the Bandra-Borivali sector and 8 services in the Churchgate-Bandra sector.
The breakdown of additional services in a table is also shown in:
See full image
It is worth mentioning that after the full shutdown due to the COVID-19 shutdown from March 23, Western Railway at the request of the Maharashtra government, had started selected special suburban train services from June 15, 2020 in section suburban Mumbai.
Services were gradually increased for the comfort of passengers and to avoid crowds and maintain social distancing. The latest increase was implemented as of September 28, 2020, when total services increased from 500 to 506 by adding 6 more services, including two special services for women in the suburban section of WR.
Western Railways has said that, at the request of the Maharashtra government, the Ministry of Railways granted permission to disabled persons and cancer patients to travel in a special compartment on special suburban services with valid travel authority over the Mumbai suburban network.
According to a press release from Western Railway Director of Public Relations (CPRO) Sumit Thakur, “At the request of the Maharashtra government on October 8, the Ministry of Railways, the Government of India granted permission to people with disabilities and cancer patients. for special compartment travel on special suburban services with valid travel authority over the Mumbai suburban network. “
Considering the current pandemic scenario, special suburban trains and stations on WR are periodically disinfected and cleaned to maintain proper hygiene. Western Railway asks all travelers, as allowed by the Maharashtra government, to follow social distancing rules and wear a mask while traveling on special suburban trains. Only specific categories should travel on these special trains, as allowed by the Maharashtra government.
.
