Indian Railways has said that it received a letter No. DMU 2020 / CR 92 / DM 1 dated October 28, 2020 from the Maharashtra state government regarding the resumption of local train services for the general public while simultaneously guarantees compliance with all covid – 19 protocols.
To ensure this, state governments have proposed various time slots and there has also been a request to increase the frequency of local trains to meet the demand of the proposed customers.
The Maharashtra government has also requested Railways to provide inputs on the proposed schedule.
Indian Railways are currently running a total of 1410 special suburban services in Mumbai which are being operated by the Western and Central Railways zone.
As part of the unanimously decided SOP, a maximum of 700 passengers can sit in a 12-car EMU rake under social distancing rules against 1,200 passengers who can sit. Therefore, 1,410 services are running in the suburban section of Mumbai, with a total load capacity of approx. 9.80,000.
Railways also clarified that it has always been ready to increase / improve suburban services while maintaining the rules of social distancing. The railways are working closely with the Maharashtra government to provide these additional services after consulting with them on the necessary arrangements accordingly.
In a letter to the Railways, the state government suggested that anyone with a valid ticket be able to board local trains until 7.30 a.m., between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and between 8 p.m. until the end of the day.
The time between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. should be reserved for essential services personnel who have valid QR code ID cards, and there should be special women’s trains every hour, the state government said.
The state’s proposal will be sent to the Railroad Board for consideration, an official said.
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