Those Below 18 Allowed To Travel By Mumbai Local Trains
The decision was made after the state government considered those less than 18 years as fully vaccinated
Mumbai: Mumbai Railways has decided to allow those below 18 years of age to travel by local trains.
This decision was taken keeping the school- and college-going children into consideration, especially those in Classes 8-12, who have been allowed to physically attend school/ college, with restrictions.
The additions to those who will be allowed to travel in local trains were made after the state government considered those less than 18 years as fully vaccinated, the railway officials claim.
The move comes days after the state government issued a new definition of fully vaccinated, which stated, “the definition of a fully vaccinated person will include persons less than the age of 18 years, any person having a medical condition that does not allow him or her to take the vaccine and has a certificate to that extent from a recognised doctor and those who have received both doses of vaccine,” signed by Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte.
The order issued by Central Railway stated the revised list of categories who will be allowed to travel in local trains. “People less than 18 years of age can travel by local trains. They will be issued monthly season tickets at railway counters,” said a railway official.
“In the future, when vaccines would be available for this age group, this would continue for the first 60 days of such availability,” the order further said.
Since March 2020, when the Covid lockdown was abruptly announced, local trains have been out of use for the common man.
The president of the Rail Yatri Sangh, Subhash Gupta said, “It’s a much-required decision made by the government.”
Passenger associations claim that even now they see youngsters at railway stations and on trains but they are not checked every time.
As of now, only those who are fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccines are allowed to travel in local trains. Apart from them, those with a medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated need to carry a doctor’s certificate to be allowed on local trains.
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