Mumbai local trains likely to resume services from January 1, 2021

Train services in Mumbai are likely to resume from January 1, 2021. Congress leader and Maharashtra minister Vijay Waddetiwar while speaking to some media houses on Tuesday, December 15 said that the government is contemplating resuming train services and is making appropriate arrangements for the same.

Meanwhile, Mumbai municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on Thursday had said that a decision on allowing the general public to travel by suburban local trains will be taken after the New Year celebrations.

"If the Covid-19 spike gets averted, then we are planning to take a decision on resuming local trains for the general public after December 15," BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had said.

He further added, “the government is not in favour of imposing a night curfew because it creates panic among people. Hence it has decided to wait and watch till December 25”. 

Mumbai has reported a downfall in the number of fresh coronavirus cases, the official said. He added that the number of asymptomatic patients is rising now. This is why a decision on allowing the general public to on travel by the city's lifeline, Mumbai local, will be taken after Christmas and New Year celebrations, Chahal added.

It may be noted that at present, only certain categories of people, including those working for essential services are allowed to travel by local trains.

Expressing concerns about many people in the city not wearing masks, the municipal commissioner warned that the administration will have to impose a night curfew if people don't follow COVID-19 safety protocols.