200 trains may run between Mumbai, Konkan for Ganpati

MUMBAI: Around 200 trains are likely to run between Mumbai and Konkan from next week as the state government granted permission for people to travel for the Ganesh festival, which begins on August 22.

Even though services are running from Mumbai to various parts of the country, tickets for destinations within the state are not being sold.

An exception has been made for trains to Konkan. The state government had on August 7 requested railways to operate the trains.

Konkan Railway and Central Railway (CR) have drawn up plans for services but a decision on how many will operate will depend on railway board and home ministry. Western Railway , which does not run trains to Konkan, will ply few to cater to demand.

Trains to Konkan are likely to run between August 11 and September 6 and stoppages are likely at Thane, Panvel, Chiplun , Ratnagiri and Sawantwadi .

A senior railway official said, "We will run 100 up and down services each. There will be around four trains per day from Mumbai. A similar number was operated last year too, including regular services, even though we expect demand to be extremely low. But this time only those with confirmed tickets can travel."

Passengers will have to wear masks at the station's entry and during travel and have to reach the station 90 minutes before for thermal screening.

Private buses are operating at 50% capacity. Harsh Kotak of Mumbai Bus Malak Sangathna said that demand was poor.