Indian Railways’ Western Railway(WR) zone has decided to resume the Air Conditioned(AC) trains in the Mumbai sub-urban services.
According to a railway officialof Western Railway, initially a total of10 Air Conditioned services (2 Slow services – 1 in DOWN direction between Mahalaxmi- Borivali and 1 in UP direction between Borivali- Churchgate & 8 Fast services- 4 in DOWN direction between Churchgate-Virar and 4 in UP direction between Virar-Churchgate) will operate.
In a move that will reduce crowding in local trains, the Western Railway (WR) will daily operate 194 additional services from Thursday to ferry those working in the essential sectors. It will also restart operations of its air-conditioned local trains with 10 services, which are a part of the new services. The move follows two instances of overcrowding in local trains, where commuters could be seen jostling for space. In one video that went viral on social media, passengers at Borivali station were seen pushing each other, violating social distancing norms, to get inside the train compartment.
The Western Railway has also decided to increase the number of special suburban services.
In order to maintain social distancing and to avoid overcrowding, Western Railway has taken the decision to increase the number of daily special suburban services from 506 to 700 with effect from 15 October by adding 194 additional services including 10 air- conditioned EMU services.
According to a press statement from Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) Western Railway, Sumit Thakur, “On the request of government of Maharashtra on October 8, permission has been granted by Ministry of Railways, Government of India to differently-abled persons and Cancer Patients for travel by special compartment in special suburban services with valid travelling authority over Mumbai Suburban network.”
Considering the present scenario of pandemic, the special suburban trains and stations over WR, are regularly sanitized & cleaned to upkeep proper hygiene. All commuters as permitted by Govt of Maharashtra, are requested by Western Railway to follow social distancing norms and wear mask, while travelling in special suburban trains. Only specific Categories should travel in these special trains, as permitted by Govt of Maharashtra.
Surjitt sahani
