Mumbai local train services to be cancelled till March 31 as coronavirus cases climb to 341

In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Western Railways cancelled Mumbai Suburban train services till March 31. Starting tonight, Mumbai local trains will not run till the month end. "Kindly note that Mumbai Suburban services of Western Railway will not be run from from 24.00 hrs of 23/03/2020 ie from the midnight of 22/03/2020 till the midnight of 31/03/2020," Western Railway tweeted.

Only those engaged in essential services would be allowed to travel in local trains, that too after checking their identity papers, Maharashtra state government said earlier.

As India continues to reel under the threat of COVID-19, Indian Railways decided to not run any passenger trains till the month end. The goods trains will remain functional to ensure the movement of essential services around the country, the Railways ministry said in a statement.

Sprawled across the Central Railway and its Harbour Line, plus Western Railway, the suburban trains are the lifeline of Mumbai which ferry over 8.50 million commuters daily serving Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts.

The deadly novel coronavirus claimed six lives so far. Deaths have been reported from Karnataka, Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab and Bihar. With more than 70 coronavirus cases reported in the state, Maharashtra is the worst affected in the country. The total number coronavirus cases in India surged to 370, confirmed health ministry.

Maharashtra government today decided to impose prohibitory measures in the state. Section 144 of CrPC will be imposed in all the urban areas of Maharashtra, said Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The employee strength at the government offices will be reduced to five per cent from the present 25 per cent, Thackeray said.

The Central Railway today cancelled 60 long distance trains across Mumbai division, while the Western Railway cancelled 40 mail express and 26 passenger trains from Mumbai. It also cancelled 477 suburban locals on Sunday.