Central Railway Board Allows Women's Entry In Maharashtra's Local Train Services

The Central Railway Board gave its approval to the Maharashtra Government's decision of allowing women passengers to travel in local trains of Mumbai. On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal took to Twitter to announce that the from October 21, women will be allowed in local trains between 11 am to 3 pm and after 7 pm.

Earlier on October 16, the Secretary of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation wrote a letter to Central Railway requesting them to allow all women to avail the local train services. “It’s requested that local trains services be made available to all women from 11 am to 3 pm and again from 7 pm till the end of local services for the day, from 17th Oct, in Mumbai & Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR),” the letter stated.

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It's requested that local trains services be made available to all women from 11 am to 3 pm and again from 7 pm till the end of local services for the day, from 17th Oct, in Mumbai & Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR): Secretary, Disaster Mgmt, Relief & Rehabilitation, Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/szESCj6a2N

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2020

The government in its statement said that all women passengers with a valid ticket will be allowed to travel in local trains which are currently running for the essential workers and those involved in frontline duties. It also stated, “QR codes will not be required for ladies travelling during the said time period.”

The Railway ministry and Maharashtra government were also expected to discuss how the precautionary protocols of social distancing will be followed. Read the full report here.

However, the approval of the Railway Board was awaited which has now been acquired within four days of the request. Reportedly, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar had asked the railway authorities today morning (October 20, 2020) to consider the government’s request at the earliest.

In a prompt response, Goyal took to Twitter to issue the Railway Ministry's approval by the end of the day. "I am happy to announce that Railways will allow women to travel on suburban trains from 21 Oct between 11 am to 3 pm and after 7 pm. We were always ready and with the receipt of letter from Maharashtra Govt today, we have allowed this travel,” tweeted the Railway Minister.

I am happy to announce that Railways will allow women to travel on suburban trains from 21 Oct between 11 am to 3 pm & after 7 pm. We were always ready and with the receipt of letter from Maharashtra Govt today, we have allowed this travel.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 20, 2020

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