Mumbai Trains: ‘Outsider’ passengers pull chains before stations to avoid RTPCR report checks

Mumbai: The Maharashtra state government last month made RT PCR test mandatory for passengers entering the state by, train, air or road. The directions were issued for those arriving in Maharashtra(Mumbai Trains) from Goa, Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Yet again it has been proved that we Indians are known to break the rules! Passengers travelling from aforementioned states have found a ‘unique’ way which authorities have never thought of avoiding COVID-19 tests at Mumbai railway stations or even showing COVID negative test reports. Amazed to know it?

Before passengers reach their desired stations in Maharashtra, passengers pull the chain and get off. The so-called passengers do this even though it’s illegal to force-stop the train in a non-emergency state. Trains arriving from northern states halt mostly at major stations on Western Railway sections. According to various media reports, a total of 63 incidents has taken place in 10 days on both the Central and Western railway sections.

One of the eye witnesses who wished to remain unnamed said, “Yes, this is true. I witnessed one such incident near Borivali station. Passengers to avoid COVID-19 test pull the chain and get off the train. There are many persons in this case so it is difficult to pinpoint on someone.”

According to a report in Mid-Day, about nine incidents took place near Borivali station, four near Mumbai Central station, four near Palghar station and two near Boisar station. As much as 27 such incidents took place on the Central Railway line. Thane, Kalyan, Kurla LTT and Kasara stations were ones to report them.