Key Points:
- An addition of 194 local trains has been made in the Western Railways section of Mumbai.
- The increase in trains is a step to follow the Social Distancing norm.
- Currently, 506 trains were in service of the Mumbaikars.
- From Thursday, a total of 700 locals will run on the tracks.
To avoid overcrowding, the Indian Railways will run more Mumbai local train services. From 15 October 2020, the Western Railway zone has decided to route supplementary 194 special train services, including 10 AC local trains. With this, the total number of special train services functioned by Western Railways will surge to 700 from the current 506 services.
In a bid to reduce overcrowding, WR to add 194 more services of Mumbai local trains from October 15.
With this, the total number of special services for essential staff & categories notified by State Govt will increase to 700 from current 506. @drmbct https://t.co/NmYP71sBZY
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) October 13, 2020
The trains that are in the run are only for the staff of emergency services as notified by the state government of Maharashtra. Out of the 10 AC local trains, 8 trains will run from Churchgate and Virar on a fast corridor, 1 of them will run between Borivali-Churchgate and the other between Mahalaxmi-Borivali stations.
“The Western Railway has taken this step, in order to avoid congestion and maintain Social Distancing in the Covid-19 period. The daily special suburban services will rise from 506 to 700 with effect from Thursday,” the release said.
194 local trains:
49 trains – to be operated in the morning peak hours.
49 trains – to be operated in the evening peak hours for the convenience of the commuters,
said Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.
Currently, the Central Railway is operating 453 special suburban services on its network. Last month, the Western Railway zone had decided to increase the number of daily special suburban services operating in Mumbai from 350 to 500.
The Mumbai Suburban Network resumed from June 15, the railways authorities have been progressively increasing their frequency.
