Maharashtra govt requests railways to allow all women to travel by Mumbai local trains

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has requested general managers of Central and Western Railway to allow all women to travel on local trains in the Mumbai region from Saturday.

Currently only restricted categories of persons, including essential services staff, are allowed to travel by local trains in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

In letters sent to both the zonal railways on Thursday, state Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation secretary Kishor Raje Nimbalkar said the train services should be made available to women passengers from 11 am to 3 pm and from 7 pm onwards till the end of the services for the day.

QR code passes — currently given to those who are entitled to travel — should not be required for women for traveling during these time slots, he said.

The frequency of trains should also be increased, the letter said.