No curbs on local trains in Mumbai yet

People board a local train at Kandivli railway station on March 31. Pic/Satej Shinde

The Indian Railways on Monday said there was no official communication about restrictions on local trains in Mumbai. However, any discussion with the Maharashtra government for preparations, if required, would be to categorically identify essential workers and not include everyone in the essential services like the last time. This would give a clear estimate on the number of services required if there is a total lockdown.

Officials say passenger capacity on local trains could be brought down slightly. File pic/Ashish Raje

"There will be no point curtailing services drastically. May be reduce services to 80 per cent from the existing 95 per cent. It should be more about cutting off access to people and restricting them, rather than curbing the services. One also needs to take into account the ongoing vaccination drive. The restrictions should not create hurdles for beneficiaries and that they are allowed to take the train," a senior official said.

The state government officials said the curbs could be imposed sometime around Thursday. Maharashtra cabinet minister Vijay Wadettiwar had last week hinted that the Mumbai suburban train services could be shut down for the general public in the coming days and only those employed in essential services may be allowed to take locals, just like the last lockdown. The general public was allowed on local trains from February 1 this year.