With the number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai coming down, the Maharashtra government is planning to allow local train for all passengers during staggered hours. "Local can be permitted for morning hours till 7 am and after 10 pm in night. However, the decision will be taken only after a review with the chief minister," said an official.
The local train services for all commuters may resume for both central and western railways depending on the review.
“After 28 October there has been no official discussion with the state govt regarding resuming local train services for all. Though we have had discussion over allowing services for few sectors that we have done already. The timings of local train is yet to be decided and the call will be taken by the state government,” said the official.
Currently, only essential workers and those approved by the government are allowed to travel on locals. Women too have permission, but only during non-peak hours.
To cope with the new mutant virus and restrict the old one from spreading, Mumbai also issued specific guidelines for the new year celebrations. Meanwhile eight passengers who returned from the UK have tested positive for the new variant of coronavirus in Maharashtra, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Monday.