All students below 18 will now be allowed on Mumbai local trains. Local Trains for students
Besides recipients of both doses of a Covid vaccine (who have completed 14 days since the second), those with a medical condition that does not allow them to take a shot and have a doctor’s certificate to confirm it and those under-18 and not eligible for vaccination will treated on par for access to certain facilities. This includes local train travel, entry into malls, temples (in certain districts), restaurants, auditoriums, wedding halls and multiplexes.
The relaxation will specially benefit students of junior colleges to attend classes in person. Some colleges have started science practicals as a prelude to throwing open the campus. Many are keen to begin classroom lessons next week, underscoring the demand to make concessions for student travel by train.
According to the state notification, “there will be many people who despite having the intention of getting fully vaccinated are not eligible due to medical conditions or because they are less than 18 years of age and so such persons should be allowed to render or receive such services”. Railway authorities said they will abide by government guidelines. Those under 18 will enjoy this travel concession for up to 60 days from the time their vaccine becomes available. Once vaccine doses are available, they will be required to take their shots to continue having access to trains.
Prof Hasnain Naqvi, vice principal of St Xavier’s College, said the decision was much awaited as students and parents, who accompany them from distant suburbs, were being inconvenienced and had to either travel ticketless or use other modes of transport. Commuters have also demanded that railways do away with the compulsion of monthly passes and begin single day ticket sales as well. “Many fully vaccinated people are forced to travel ticketless as the railways are not giving single day tickets,” said Prakash Giri, a resident of Chembur.
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