Mumbai: No train curbs yet, but railways ups Covid-19 drive

Fines against maskless people on trains, railway stations and premises have been on the rise. File pic

While the state government has not put any restrictions on local train travel yet, the railways has stepped up their drive to ensure people follow COVID-appropriate rules. They are not only taking action against those not wearing masks, but also physically verifying vaccine certificates.

"We are in constant touch with the state government and local authorities, and have stepped up the drive to enforce COVID-appropriate behaviour. However, there is no change in the guidelines for local trains," a railway spokesperson said. Railway officials said that in addition to fining ticketless travellers, the state government had permitted the railways to fine those violating pandemic rules. Accordingly, a Rs 500 fine is being imposed for not following Disaster Management Authority guidelines and COVID-appropriate behaviour.

"We have intensified our drive against maskless passengers in trains and on platforms in accordance with the government guidelines. On December 26, 190 people were fined Rs 35,150 for not wearing masks on the Central Railway section. In the whole of December, Rs 2.6 lakh fine has been collected from 1,710 people for not wearing masks," said Central Railway Chief Public Relations officer Shivaji Sutar.

He further said, "From April 17 to November 30, special ticket-checking teams penalised 26,725 passengers for not wearing masks/face covers and a total fine of R43.97 lakh was collected."

"On the Western Railway section, in December so far 849 commuters have been fined a total of R1.10 lakh for not wearing masks. Since February 2021, 25,729 cases have been detected of commuters not wearing masks in trains, at stations and on railway premises leading to a total fine collection of Rs 37.36 lakh," said Sumit Thakur, Western Railway chief public relations officer.

Mega block on slow lines between Kalwa and Diva

The Central Railway will operate a special infrastructure block on the Up and Down slow lines between Kalwa and Diva for work on the newly laid slow line. The block will be operated on from 2 am On January 2, 2022 till 2 am on January 3, 2022. Suburban services will not be available at Kalwa, Mumbra, Kopar and Thakurli stations during the block period. Passengers are advised to board trains from Thane, Diva, Dombivli and Kalyan stations. The railways has arranged for buses in coordination with the municipal transport undertakings. Trains originating/terminating at Dombivli will not be available during the block period. During the same time, slow line locals will halt on fast line platforms at Thane, Dombivli and Diva.