News Input by Imran Mulla HM Corrospondent :

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced that the Local suburban trains for the common passengers will start from 1 February .

Currently, only some categories of commuters, like women and those providing essential services, can travel by local trains after obtaining a special pass, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The suburban train services were suspended in March- end last year due to the coronavirus outbreak and gradually resumed from June.

Before issuing the joint statement, the WR announced that it would resume 100 per cent suburban services on its network, but later withdrew the decision.

In the joint statement, the railway authorities also appealed to travellers to follow the standard operating procedures related to COVID-19 prevention while travelling in the local trains.

The CR and WR resumed the suburban services for emergency and essential services staff on June 15 last year.

Gradually, passengers from some other categories, like lawyers and staff of foreign consulates, were also allowed to travel in the local trains.

News Edit by K.V.Raman