Mumbai local trains to resume from February 1: What to keep in mind

Mumbai: On demand from the State Government, the Ministry of Railways has permitted all categories of passengers to travel in local trains in the suburban section of Mumbai Region from February 1.

The local train services will be restricted to the essential services staff only as is being permitted currently from 07 am to 12 noon and from 4 pm to 21 pm.

Time slot details for the general public:
- From 1st train to 7.00 am
- From 12.00 noon to 16.00 pm
- From 9 pm to last train

Western Railway and Central Railway have an action plan ready for restoring railway services from February 1 in order to ensure smooth movement of passengers, crowd management at station platforms, FOBS and entry/exit points and to prevent any untoward incidents over Railway premises. There will be more deployment of force at crowd sensitive stations. The Railways has taken the help of local police for managing crowds. Random checking of tickets will be done to see that people are travelling as per the scheduled time given for them. Continuous announcements to follow all COVID-19 mandated norms, protocols will be made while additional posters are also put up to create awareness about norms mandated for COVID-19.



Here are some of the dos and don’ts to remember as trains resume for all from February 1:

(I) The entry/exit gates will be manned and there will be random checking in coordination with GRP and the commercial department to prevent the entry of unauthorised people in railway areas.

(II) Maximum staff are deployed in the field like platforms, FOBS, entry/exit points and other vital locations. The staff deployed for the duties at strategic locations are provided with Walkie Talkies, whistle, ropes, barricades and loud hailers.

(IV) Platform staff are properly briefed, regarding the nature of duties and gentle behaviour with passengers in all situations.

(V) Close liaison with GRP, local police and other counterparts are being maintained. Preventive steps are taken to ensure smooth movement of passengers, crowd management at station platforms, FOBs, entry/exit points and circulating area to prevent any untoward incidents over Railway premises. Elaborate arrangements are made in coordination with GRP/City police in their respective jurisdiction.

(VI) Adequate staff are deployed in coordination with city police and traffic police to regulate passenger movement on entry/exit gates and arrange to regulate vehicles traffic in circulating areas and keep them updated with the prevailing conditions of railway areas.



(VII) Wearing masks is compulsory. Fine will be imposed if passengers are without wearing masks.

(VIII) Announcements through the PA system will be made continuously for passengers to pay attention to the directions issued by railway administration and ensure basic protective measures against the Coronavirus.

(IX) Staff are deployed at the booking office with rope and barricades for queue management and to maintain social distancing.

(X) Staff is deployed at important FOBs to regulate crowds and ensure smooth movement of the public.

(XI) Coordination is being made with the concerned Medical department to arrange medical teams at all major stations for any eventuality.

(XII) A huge number of passengers are likely to arrive at railway stations after lockdown. These are the perfect conditions for wrongdoers to execute crime; thereby crime prevention and detection teams (CPDTs) are deployed to counter passenger crime.

(XIII) Adequate ladies staff are deployed to cater to the needs of ladies passengers and render necessary assistance to them in emergencies.

(XIV) Staff in each shift is deployed at CCTV monitoring rooms to relay simultaneous information to all concerned, avoid gathering of passengers and maintain social distancing.

(XV) Anti-sabotage checks are conducted in presence of sniffer dogs at the important stations.