Mumbai local trains open to all from February 1 but only within 3 time slots

Till now only essential services staff, women, and some other categories were allowed to use the local train service to prevent crowding.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday allowed the general public to use the suburban train services in Mumbai starting February 1. The timings for general public’s use of the local train service will, however, be restricted to avoid crowding, said officials.

Mumbai locals to accommodate more passengers from September 21. (PTI)

The suburban train services--the biggest mode of public transport in Mumbai-- was shut since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, workforce in essential services, women, and some other categories were subsequently allowed to use the service after easing of restrictions in place to contain the disease.

According to the new directives, general commuters will be allowed to board locals till 7am in the morning, then between 12 to 4pm in the afternoon and from 9 pm till the last local of the day in the night. This means the general public will not be allowed to travel between 7am and 12 noon and between 4pm and 9 pm, which are considered peak travel hours.

The government has also urged offices to go for staggered working hours to ensure less crowding in trains, considered the lifeline of the city.

The state government has also allowed shops and restaurants in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to remain open till 11pm and 1am, respectively.

Hoteliers and shopkeepers have welcomed the move. The Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industries and Trade (CAMIT) said, it will help the shopkeepers who are facing huge business losses.

“There is a huge chunk of customers who shop late after returning from work but we were losing them due to the previous 9pm deadline. The new timings will help to regain some business,” said Mohan Gurnani, chairman, CAMIT.

Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, spokesperson, Hotels and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) also the move a huge relief for the sector. “The hotels and restaurants are already operating at 50% capacity and this increase in the timings of operation is a huge relief for us. This will substantially cut down our losses,” said Kohli.