While almost all restrictions have been removed in Tamilnadu, those on local trains still continue, paralysing the movement of lakhs of people who depend on EMU services on a daily basis.
Maharashtra Minister Vijay Wadettiwar on Wednesday said a decision on allowing all passengers to use local train services in Mumbai will be taken in the next two-three days. The Tamilnadu government too should allow local train services, considering the plight of people.
At present, staffers of essential services have been allowed to use the local train services, considered as the lifeline of Chennai and its suburbs. Following a request from the State government, it was decided to permit essential services staff, authorised by the government from 5 October onwards, in EMU workmen specials.
The State Government had nominated an official as the Nodal Officer for this purpose to authorise and issue specific travel permission to essential services staff to travel in the special EMU trains in suburban sections.
The specific travel permission would have details such as Name, Designation, department /Office etc. This travel permission in original will be accepted by the Railways only when presented along with the photo ID Card of the person issued by his/her office. These restrictions should go and people should be allowed to travel on EMU trains by following Covid-19 protocols, as the number of daily cases is steadily coming down in the State, especially Chennai.