Key Points :
- The Maharashtra government has allowed women to utilise the local train services during two time slots during the day from today.
- The Secretary of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation department issued an order making the announcement.
- Earlier, only essential services staff were allowed to board the locals during the entire day after being issued a special pass and the order reiterated that the earlier permission will continue to remain valid.
The Maharashtra Government on Friday permitted women to travel in local trains during limited hours from Saturday, October 17. The Secretary of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation department announced an order which stated that ladies will be allowed to make use of the local trains during limited hours.
Secretary Kishor Raje Nimbalkar issued an order stating that ladies will be allowed to board Mumbai suburban trains during two time slots, between 11 am to 3 pm and then from 7 pm till end of service. This order is effective for both Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Women holding valid tickets will be permitted to use local train services.
“It is requested that local train services may be made available to all ladies from 11 AM to 3 PM and again from 7 PM onwards till end of local services for the day, with effect from 17th October 2020 in Mumbai and MMR region. During the said period, entry may be allowed to all ladies having valid tickets and to all emergency staff as well. QR codes will not be required for ladies travelling during the said time period,” the order announced.
Earlier, only restricted categories of persons, including essential services staff were allowed to travel by local trains due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.The order reiterated that this earlier permission will continue to remain valid during the entire day.
“The local train services to all the personnel of all sectors that have been notified as emergency services till date shall continue as are being provided currently, i.e. for the entire day,” the order added.
Mumbai’s suburban train services were paused on March 23 as part of the nationwide lockdown. Services partially resumed on June 15, but only essential service providers were allowed to utilise these trains after being issued a special pass. The Mumbai Metro Rail will also resume operations from October 19 in a graded manner under the new reopening guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government.
