Issuing Of Rly Passes Smooth On Day 1 As Crowds Stay Small

Mumbaikars breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as, after months of lockdown, registration for rail travel began for fully vaccinated citizens. They will be allowed to board local trains from August 15, which will allow them freedom from a tiresome commute aboard crowded buses and expensive taxi-auto rides.

On Wednesday, fully vaccinated people began to be issued monthly train passes at 358 help desks at 113 railway stations. Until 6 pm, Central Railway had sold 16,800 passes and Western Railway 6,450.

The BMC approved vaccination certificates of 17,758 passengers. Mayor Kishori Pednekar and AMC (health) Suresh Kakani inspected the process. “This offline process of issuing passes will continue on all seven days of the week. So citizens need not rush to railway stations,” said civic chief Iqbal Chahal.

Contrary to expectations, crowds were sparse and queues moved briskly. TOI reporters at Bandra, Dadar, Malad and CSMT witnessed the process move smoothly without delay. This signalled the efficiency of the counter staff but also implied that only a small percentage of Mumbaikars have taken both doses of the vaccine.