Mumbai local trains: More people allowed to travel from today — all you need to know

More people, such as employees of co-operative and private banks, will be permitted to use Mumbai's suburban train service starting from September 21. The announcement was made by Indian Railways on September 19.

Use of suburban trains, often referred to ‘local trains’, is currently restricted for the general public in view of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Mumbai’s local train network has not operated their regular schedule since late March when the first nationwide lockdown was imposed to help curb spread of COVID-19.

Since mid-June, the railways have been operating special train services for people engaged in essential and emergency services. Railway authorities had recently allowed aircraft maintenance and repair staff to travel on local trains.

As per fresh guidelines, selected 10 percent staff of co-operative and private banks is required to obtain QR ID codes from the state government.

However, until they get it, they can use valid identity cards to buy tickets and travel.

Employees of nationalised banks are already allowed to travel by local trains.

The Railways also said that additional booking counters will be opened at important stations, and appealed passengers to follow social distancing.

On September 20, Mumbai’s COVID-19 tally reached 1.84 lakh. This included 1.47 lakh recoveries, over 27,000 active cases and 8,469 fatalities.

Once considered a major hotspot, Mumbai had managed to significantly reduce the COVID-19 growth rate. In fact, at some point, the doubling rate of cases was well over 90 days.

However, infections being reported on a daily basis have spiked again in the last three-four weeks.