MSRTC strike: Kasara, Karjat commuters want local access

Only fully vaccinated citizens are allowed on locals at present

Commuter bodies beyond Kalyan - Kasara/Karjat stretch - have written to the chief minister's office saying that partially vaccinated citizens are suffering as the MSRTC strike has put them at the mercy of private bus operators who have begun charging exorbitantly. These organisations have sought local train access for those who have taken their first vaccine shot to facilitate their daily commute to Mumbai.

"For the partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, it is very difficult to commute, especially for those who stay in the far-flung suburbs and outside the MMR where public transport options are few. The only constant there has been MSRTC buses, which have now stopped due to the strike for the last 15 days and railway services are restricted for certain commuters. There could be genuine reasons like medical complications, other reasons and it is unfair to deny them public transport," Rajesh Ghanghav, Railway Pravasi Sanghtna said.

"The only public transport option is now closed, and we have been suffering and hence appeal to the chief minister's office to consider allowing those with one dose to travel by local trains," said another member Manohar Shelar. There are places like Vangani, Kasara and stations beyond from where commuters travel to work and for business to Mumbai every day.

State officials said the two are separate issues and guidelines to trains are mandated on various parameters. Railway officials said the guidelines as of now are clear and no new permissions have been issued by the state government.

15
No. of days since the MSRTC strike is going on