With fully vaccinated citizens allowed to board locals, authorities renew focus on crowd management at stations
Commuters use an escalator on Platform No. 2 at Thane station
A week after opening for the fully vaccinated, the suburban railway on Monday announced the opening of gates, escalators and public utilities with increased capacity at all railway stations. These had been shut owing to the Covid-19 situation.
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Official passenger numbers have been in the range of 32 to 35 lakh so far and both Central and Western railways conducted a survey to study the ground situation.
Citing the joint survey, a senior Western Railway official said they decided to open 22 more gates between Churchgate and Virar for the convenience of commuters.
“Now, 129 gates are open to the public out of 247 gates in WR. The rest are closed to ensure better access control and prevent unauthorised access into the station premises,” he added.
Also read: Railways suffered Rs 36,000 crore loss in pandemic: Union minister Raosaheb Danve
Of the total 66 escalators at Western Railway stations, 45 had been opened till Sunday. From Monday morning, 21 more were pressed into service. Of the 24 lifts (elevators), 18 had been opened till Sunday and from Monday morning, six more have been put in use.
Central Railway officials said they have now opened all 320 gates, 88 escalators and 45 lifts for the public to avoid crowding.
32-35 lakh
Daily suburban footfall on Central and Western Railway
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