'Not rejecting possibility, but decision on hold': Maharashtra Health Minister on resuming of local trains
The local train services were suspended for the public for the second time since March 2020 after witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
FollowAs the state eased COVID-19 lockdown, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday said that the decision had been put on hold and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would take the final call. Tope further said that they are not rejecting the possibility of local train trains resuming. Still, the decision has been put on hold as many aspects have to be considered before deciding.
The local train services were suspended for the public for the second time since March 2020 after witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
On Monday, the Bombay High Court asked the state government why people who had received both doses could not travel by local train. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni had questioned the purpose of getting the complete vaccination if citizens are expected to be at home.
On Monday, in a significant relief, the Maharashtra government announced new guidelines for easing lockdown curbs in the districts where the COVID-19 positivity rate is low. While addressing the press, Maharashtra CM Thackeray said that allowing everyone in local trains would be difficult as the unlock down must be done slowly. The Chief Ministers Office (CMO) clarified that the orders regarding the unlock down are not for Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs and Thane. The other districts where relaxations would not be applicable include Kolhapur, Pune, Satara, Ratnagiri, as the situation in this district is still a 'cause of concern'. The BMC also issued orders for the Mumbai city that the malls would remain shut, while restaurants will stay open till 4 pm everyday.
