08 August,2021 08:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray addressed the state through a webcast on Sunday evening and informed that the Mumbai local trains will start operations for the general public from August 15. However, only fully vaccinated beneficiaries who have completed a gap of 14 days after the second dose will be allowed.
Passengers can avail their travel passes from ward offices or suburban railway stations.
The Chief Minister said that passengers who are smartphone users can download the train pass through the mobile app.
"Passengers who do not have a smartphone can take photo passes from municipal ward offices in the city as well as suburban railway stations. These passes are for local travel which will have QR codes so that the railway administration can verify their authenticity. I urge you not to allow anyone to obtain passes illegally. Get fully vaccinated and travel," he added.
Local trains operations were shut down in April this year during the ravaging second wave of Covid-19.
The Chief Minister also said from Monday onwards the task force will be operational and after analysing the situation, gradually, restaurants and malls will reopen. The process will take at least 7-8 days. And that approximately 19 lakh Mumbaikars have been administered both the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
This announcement comes after the Maharashtra government eased level 3 curbs in 25 districts with low positivity rate, which allowed essential and non-essential shops to operate till 8pm on weekdays. However, the timings of hotels and restaurants were capped to 4pm.
The Maharashtra government is planning to relax more Covid-19 curbs in the coming days but with utmost caution and will also take a call regarding the local train travel, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had said on Saturday.
Local trains operations were shut down in April this year during the ravaging second wave of Covid-19.
Maharashtra reported 5,508 new Covid-19 cases, 4,895 recoveries, and 151 deaths in the last 24 hours. According to the state health department, the cumulative caseload reached 63,53,328 including 61,44,388 and 1,33,996 deaths. At present, there are 71,510 active cases in the state.
With ANI inputs
