Written by ZEESHAN SHAIKH
, Edited by Explained Desk | Mumbai |
Updated: November 3, 2020 6:00:48 pm
For a linear city like Mumbai, the suburban train services play a vital role in facilitating the north-south movement of the citys workforceThe Maharashtra government and the Railways are at loggerheads over restarting Mumbais suburban train operations, the lifeline of the metropolis, without restrictions on who can avail of the services. At present, only certain categories of persons, including essential services staff and women, can travel by local trains. In this article we explain why the two are at loggerheads and how this is not the first time that the Maharashtra government and the Railways have squared off against each other.
What proposal has Maharashtra mooted for opening train services for the general public?
Over seven months after it decided to shut down suburban train services in the wake of the pandemic, the Maharashtra government on October 28 wrote a letter to the Railways proposing that the general public be allowed to travel by Mumbai local trains during non-peak hours while following the Covid-19 norms.
The proposal suggested any person holding a valid ticket or pass be allowed to board local trains till 7.30 am, then between 11 am to 4.30 pm and after 8 pm till the end of the services. It also said the time between 8 am to 10:30 am and 5 pm to 7.30 pm should be reserved only for employees in essential services having valid QR code or identity card with valid ticket or pass. It also suggested that there should be one ladies special train every hour.
Has the Railways accepted the proposal?
Five days after the state wrote the letter, the Railways is yet to take a decision on opening services for the general public. After receiving the letter, Railways said it was in a position to ferry only 22 lakh passengers while adhering to Covid-19 protocols.
Over 80 lakh passengers used the suburban railway system daily during pre-pandemic days. The Railways also wanted to know from the government how it planned to address the segregation of passengers and enable social distancing. Since the Maharashtra government wrote the letter, the Railways has, however, decided to add 1363 services. This takes the total number of services to 2773, which is 88 per cent of the total 3141 services that were run in pre-Covid period.
Senior railway officials have said that they are waiting for a meeting with stateg government officials to work out the modalities for providing services to the general public. Officials are hopeful that the decision to start services can be taken after the meeting takes place.
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Why are the state and Railways not on the same page over starting of services?
The Maharashtra government has said the Railways was deliberately stalling its decision. Congress leaders had earlier claimed that the Railways was acting at the behest of the BJP. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has asked the Railways not to play politics on the issue. People will not face inconvenience if the Railways cooperates well. Hence, the Railway administration should cooperate with the government without bringing any politics into this, Deshmukh said. The states decision to resume local trains comes as it wants to earn goodwill by starting services before Diwali. State officials said the Railways was deliberately delaying the decision as it was requested by the state government.
Have the Maharashtra government and Railways faced off earlier as well?
In mid October, the Maharashtra government issued a directive stating that women would be allowed to travel in local trains. Minutes later, the Railways sent a letter to the government that it was not possible for it to start services till it got clearance from the Railway Board. It also advised on holding a joint meeting of Railways and state government officials to work out the modalities. It eventually relented a few days later.
There was also differences between the two on starting special trains facilitating movement of people to districts in Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi in August. In May, a war of words had broken out between Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, officials and Maharashtra over the operation of Shramik special trains, with the Railways accusing the state government of not getting passengers on time at the stations to board these trains.
Why is the suburban train service important to Mumbai?
For a linear city like Mumbai, the suburban train services play a vital role in facilitating the north-south movement of the citys workforce. The two suburban systems operated by Western Railways and Central Railways stretches 319 km. It facilitates the inter-district travel of commuters in five districts namely Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar and Raigarh.
The decision to regulate the services on the nations largest commuter train network has caused hardships to many residents of Mumbai’s satellite cities, especially the poor. As businesses open, many of the citys workforce, who stay in far away locations from commercial business districts in the city, have seen their daily commute time double as they attempt to reach Mumbai.
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