Mumbai local trains open for vaccination beneficiaries, emergencies: Railways

Commuters stand on footboards of a local train leaving Borivli railway station on April 5. Pic/Satej Shinde

The state government has issued no further clarity on the ‘exceptions' allowed to travel via local trains along with essential workers and people facilitating such services during the second lockdown. Till clear instructions come, people who need to travel for emergencies won't face any hurdle, said railways.

Railway officials said that in the absence of any instructions from the state, they will have to rope in the city police to monitor the public accessing the locals for a few days. And, if a directive comes from the Maharashtra government, railways will cooperate fully, they added.

On possibility of reducing the number of local train services, officials said a decision will be taken after monitoring the crowd for the next few days.

"With a curfew-like situation during the lockdown, people's movement on the roads will be restricted. Hence, people entering railway stations would have been checked and their reason for travel verified," an official said. Moreover, ticket booking clerks have been instructed to check identity cards of commuters before issuing tickets and passes, he added.

"The existing restriction structure of peak hour services will remain in force, and Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) and other facilities will remain open so that no one is inconvenienced. Those wanting to take the train for vaccination or exams or other emergencies won't face any hurdles from the railways. We will ensure that the vaccination drive is not affected at any level. We, however, still appeal to the public to take the train only if necessary," he said.

The official added that checking for COVID-19 protocols will be intensified.