Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Mar 22 : At Railway stations in Mumbai, officials checked ID cards of people, allowing only those part of government emergency services, medical professionals and people who wished to travel for urgent work, even as millions remained indoors to observe the 7 am- 9 pm 'Janta Curfew' called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to isolate the spread of coronavirus.
"In view of coronavirus, we are appealing all passengers of Mumbai local not to travel unnecessarily andstay at home if they do not have any urgent work. We have e decided to allow only passengers who are part of emergency services run by government, medical-related people and some people with very urgent work including medical treatment etc. They will be allowed after checking their ID cards and necessary papers," said Shivaji Daund, Divisional Commissioner, Konkan division.
"Regarding this, every station will have a team of police, GRP and medical experts to allow pass to travel in locals," Daund added.
The ID checking of passengers will go on till further orders.
Thin crowd was seen at the Dadar Railway Station here as security personnel were checking IDs of people.
"People are supporting the 'Janta Curfew' and we would like to thank them for doing so. We are checking IDs of people and allowing only those who work in the medical field," said Head Constable Vijay Pratap, Railway Protection Force, Dadar.
Mukesh, a BMC worker, said, "I want to thank the Prime Minister for the 'Janta Curfew'. At the Dadar station here, there is less crowd today. Officials here are checking ID cards of people."
The Indian Railways has cancelled all passenger trains originating between Saturday midnight to 10 pm today and all long-distance mail/express and Intercity trains (including premium trains) originating between 4 am and 10 pm today. The changes have been made as part of the regulation of train service during Janta Curfew in the wake of COVID-19.
"No passenger or express train will originate from any railway station on the country between Saturday/Sunday midnight to 10:00 pm on Sunday," said an order issued by Indian Railways.
There were no passengers at the Ranchi Railway Station in Jharkhand on Sunday morning as all passenger and intercity trains have been cancelled till 10 pm today.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation, had urged citizens to follow "Janta Curfew" from 7 am till 9 pm in an effort to take on the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of confirmed COVD-19 cases in India has soared to 324, including four deaths.
( With inputs from ANI )