Big relief for Mumbai commuters as Maharashtra govt allows fully-vaccinated people to travel in trains
According to the government, before they may board local trains, persons working in key sectors must be vaccinated and have completed the 14-day post-inoculation period.
FollowThe Maharashtra government issued an order on Tuesday permitting ordinary individuals, regardless of their occupation, who are completely vaccinated against COVID-19 to board suburban trains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The state administration has expanded the definition of fully vaccinated persons in this decree to include those working in non-essential industries.
This implies that those who have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccination and have completed 14 days following inoculation can ride on local trains. According to the government, before they may board local trains, persons working in key sectors must be vaccinated and have completed the 14-day post-inoculation period. The Central and Western Railways are currently distributing monthly passes to immunised commuters instead of daily tickets to reduce crowding.
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Notably, both railroads said on Monday that suburban services in Mumbai will be operating at total capacity till October 28 but that current travel limitations for the general public will stay unchanged. An official stated on Monday that this decision was made due to the increased influx of passengers. From October 28, Central Railway and Western Railway will operate 1,774 and 1,367 suburban trains, respectively. Before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the zonal railways provided these several services.
Central Railway and Western Railway now operate 1,702 and 1,304 suburban services, respectively, accounting for 95.70% of total suburban services during the regular time. To date, only government officials and essential service personnel have been permitted to ride on suburban trains, except fully vaccinated residents who have completed the 14 days following the second dosage and those under 18. Following the pandemic's spread, suburban services were halted entirely on March 22, 2020.
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Later, on June 15, 2020, trains launched suburban services for critical service categories designated by the Maharashtra government and authorised by the Ministry of Railways. Suburban residents are regarded as Mumbai's lifeblood. Before the COVID-19 epidemic, about 80 lakh people travelled to suburban locals. In Maharashtra, the COVID-19 graph is likewise slowing. According to a health department official, the state recorded 889 COVID-19 cases on Monday, the fewest in a single day since May 5, 2020, and 12 new fatalities, the fewest in a single day in more than 18 months.
