Despite facing unprecedented COVID-19 related challenges in the year 2020, the Indian Railways was able to keep the national supply chain running and move millions of people back home. In a bid to step up its fight against the deadly Coronavirus, the Indian Railways had decided to completely shut down Mumbai's lifeline — the local trains — from March 22 midnight.
Updated On: 2020-12-30 03:31 PM IST
For the very first time in history, Mumbai local trains, which have braved wars, bomb blasts, terror attacks, strikes, and bandhs among others, were shut for service due to the COVID-19 enforced lockdown. Nearly 241 local trains that city has were stopped for passenger service, however, goods trains were allowed to operate as usual to ensure the supply of essential services.
After being in lockdown for over three months, the Mumbai local trains were resumed for business from July 15 for those working in essential services. From specially-abled and cancer patients to women commuters, lawyers, and even those appearing for exams were allowed to use the local train services eventually.
Essential workers armed with face masks maintain social distancing norms while travelling on Mumbai local train amid the COVID-19 crisis in the city.
In picture: During lockdown, stray dogs walk around a deserted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Women passengers queue up outside a ticket counter at Borivli station after they were allowed to travel on Mumbai local trains.
Photo: Satej Shinde
Police personnel speak to a commuter who seems to be unaware of the Janata Curfew which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 22.
On May 1, after the central government announced special trains, the first Shramik train with migrant workers was flagged off from Maharashtra. Thousands of workers and their families arrived at Bhiwandi railway station from where they took the first Shramik train to Gorakhpur. The migrant workers were also provided with a kit comprising water bottles, food, and biscuit packets.
Photo: Suresh Karkera
Railway Board Chairman V.K. Yadav said that Indian Railways operated a total of 4,165 Shramik Special trains to transport stranded migrant workers from May 1 to 9 and ferried over 63 lakh people amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the railway said that 97 passengers died while travelling on Shramik Special trains between May 1 and September 9.
Photo: Suresh Karkera
The Shramik trains, which transported stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims, and tourists to their native states commenced on May 1 with the last train being operated on July 9. Besides transporting stranded migrants back to their natives, the Indian Railways also ran freight trains thereby maintaining the supply of essential commodities amid the nationwide lockdown triggered due to the global pandemic.
Documents and tickets of migrant workers being checked before they board a Shramik special train in Mumbai.
Photo: Suresh Karkera
Migrant labourers wave to the railway staff and police personnel after boarding the Gorakhpur-bound Shramik Express at Bhiwandi.
Photo: Pradeep Dhivar
A migrant worker waits in the sun to board a Sharmik train at Borivli railway station to return to his village.
Photo: Ashish Raje
In December 2020, the Central Railway introduced AC local trains after it received formal approval to run air-conditioned local trains between CSMT and Kalyan on an experimental basis. The first AC local ran from Kurla to CSMT as per the schedule and witnessed a meager 22 passengers making us of the service.
The Central Railway will run four services between CSMT and Kurla, two on the CSMT-Kalyan route and four between CSMT and Dombivli (Thane) from Monday to Saturday, with the trains halting at all stations.
In picture: Commuters maintain social distancing as they enjoy a rise on Central Railway's new AC local service. Photo: Nimesh Dave
