The Government of Maharashtra in a letter has asked Indian Railways that all categories of public be allowed to use the Mumbai suburban railways or local trains.
This is however subject to conditions as the state government has decided to allow the public at large to commute only during non-peak hours.
The timings outlined are as follows:-
- Start of services for the day until 7 hours…
- 12 hours to 16 hours
- 21 hours until closure of services for the day.
The present arrangement of allowing essential services staff between 7 hrs and 12 hours and between 16 hours and 21 hours will continue, the letter said.
Popularly called the Mumbai local, the decision would help lakhs of commuters who used to travel on the suburban railway system each. During pre-Covid times, over 85 lakh people used Mumbai suburban railway each day.
The sections under Mumbai suburban include
– CSMT Mumbai to Kasara via Kalyan ( North East line)
-Kalyan to Khopoli via Karjat ( South East Line)
– Mumbai CSMT – Panvel via Vadala Road ( Harbour line 1)
Vadala Road- Goregaon via Kingcircle Mahim ( Harbour line 2)
Thane – Vashi /Nerul ( Trans Harbour 1)
Kharkopar- CBD Belapur/Nerul ( Trans Harbour 2)
In the near future, two sections namely Vasai-Diva/Panvel/Roha and Panvel-Karjat are likely to be classified under Mumbai suburban.
The state Government has allowed shops to open until 11 pm and restaurants until 1 am late in the night. The Government however added that the 30 per cent limit for staff would continue for these establishments besides compliance with extant Covid-19 SOPs for daily operations.
The State Government has also asked establishments to stagger their work schedule in a manner to enable their employees use local train services.