Update: In the wake of the rising number positive cases of coronavirus in India, the Indian Railways has decided to cancel all train services, including Mumbai locals till March 31.
However, special buses have been started for those who provide essential services.
Amid coronavirus outbreak, Maharashtra government has announced effective shut-down of Mumbai local trains. The state government in bid to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, has said that only government personnel engaged in provision of essential services would be allowed to travel by local trains in Mumbai.
On Saturday, a release by the Konkan divisional commissioner Shivaji Daund said that apart from the government officials involved in provision of essential services, only those who need urgent medical aid would be allowed to travel. People who are traveling by local train to reach railway terminus for boarding a long-distance train will also be allowed on inspection of their journey tickets.
The restriction, which will effectively shut down Mumbai's lifeline, will come into effect from midnight of Sunday, March 22 and will be followed till further orders.
Here's a list of people who will allowed to travel on Mumbai locals:
1. Government personnel engaged in provision of essential services
2. People who need urgent medical aid would be allowed to travel
3. People traveling by local train to reach railway terminus for boarding a long-distance train will also be allowed on inspection of their journey tickets.
Earlier, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope had said that the government would be compelled to shut down the local train services and other modes of public transport if crowds did not thin. With 64 positive cases, Maharashtra has the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the country.
(Inputs from Agencies)
