Mumbai Local Trains: Restrictions Likely to Continue as City Witnesses Increase in COVID Cases After Suburban Services Resumption

There has been an increase in new coronavirus cases in Mumbai ever since the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government reinstated local train services. In spite of strict COVID-19 limits, the financial capital encountered coronavirus cases rising above the 500 mark for the second straight week. The city has surpassed the 500 mark thrice in the last 12 days if reports are to be believed.

Although 503 cases were detected in the city on 3 February (three days after local trains resumed), 550 and 510 individuals tested positive for the deadly virus on 10 and 11 February, respectively. Following this, it is stated that the civic body has agreed not to raise timings for the general public.

The administration is analyzing the rise in COVID patients due to an increase in local train schedules for general passengers. The review will continue until February 20, and until then the order has been issued not to increase timings for the general public, said Maharashtra Times Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani.

Covid-19 Limit Goes For a Toss

Some news portals have stated that since the resumption of local train services, Covid-19 restrictions such as social distancing and mask-wearing have gone for a toss.

As stated by India Today, individuals do not obey the precautionary measures at the network ticket counters or on the platforms.

Three-time slots for local trains

There are three-time slots reserved for local trains for the general public:

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According to the Maharashtra government’s guidelines, only those engaged in critical services are permitted to travel from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Within a few days, however, the civic body has now clarified that passengers are unlikely to be able to travel around the clock on local trains due to growing COVID incidents.