Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Friday said that the Railways should cooperate with the state authorities regarding reopening of local trains to all without bringing any politics into it.
Deshmukh said the government has proposed staggered time slots where genral public can board these trains.
The Maharashtra government has written to the Railways requesting them to resume local train services for everyone, but with separate time slots. As per the letter, signed by relief and rehabilitation secretary Kishor Nimbalkar, the state has suggested staggered timings wherein the general public can be allowed to board trains during three non-peak time slots-—from the first local to 7.30am, 11am to 4.30pm and from 8pm till the last train for the day. The remaining time slots can be reserved for those authorized till now.
The Railway authorities appeared lukewarm to the proposal and on Thursday said only a little over 25 per cent of the normal number of commuters can be carried while following social distancing.
In the pre-COVID-19 era, 80 lakh people travelled daily by Mumbai suburban local trains, called the "lifeline" of the metropolis.
At present, only certain categories of persons, including essential services staff and women, can travel by local trains due to the coronavirus threat.