Keypoints:
- On Monday, State Minister for relief and rehabilitation Vijay Wadettivar said that the general public cannot travel in Mumbai Local trains until the Covid-19 pandemic is over.
- Railway authorities have refused to comment on the statement and said that the state government’s decision will be followed. Passenger Associations have been warned of protests.
On Monday, State Minister for relief and rehabilitation Vijay Wadettivar has said that the general public cannot travel in the Mumbai local trains until the Cpvid pandemic is over. Wadettivar said that, “Mumbai locals will not be started (for the general public) till Covid-19 is over”. He also said that trains lead to crowding and local trains have been put on hold, with the third wave looming. After this statement, passenger associations have been warned of protests.
Subhash Gupta, who is the president of Rail Yatri Parishad, has said that, “If such a scenario comes then there will be protests by passengers all over Mumbai. Local trains should be immediately resumed for the general public. He added that they do not believe in Wadettivar’s statement. He said that the decision will be taken by Chief Minister Uddhave Thackeray only.
Railway authorities have refused to comment on that statement. They said that they will follow the decisions communicated by the state government.
A senior official has said that, “We get an official letter from the state government whenever there is any addition or change for the operation of local trains. The official notification of the state government will be implemented.”
Dr. Wiqar Shaikh, who is the professor of medicine at Grant Medical college and Sir JJ hospital calls it an ‘impractical decision’. He has said that, “Covid-19 will remain for at least two more years and you cannot keep the commuters away for so long.”
In Mumbai, the Mumbai Suburban railway Network is the largest public transport system. Before the train services were stopped for the general public, 7 million people used to commute daily. At present, more than 2 million passengers travel by the local trains on a daily basis. Currently, the ones who are allowed to commute in local trains are the people working in essential services and passenger travelling for medical purposes.
