A significant respite for women local passengers in Mumbai came as local suburban trains were opened for their use again.

Earlier, only women in essential services and frontline duties as recognised by the Maharashtra State Government (including health, police, sanitation, and such areas) were allowed access to local trains.

Now all women will be able to travel by the locals, but only during non-peak hours (11am to 3pm and after 7pm till the end of the local train service for the day).

The unavailability of locals meant many working women had to take longer routes and spend a considerable amount of money.

The state government is also in talks to introduce private guards with uniform stripes in the local trains. In an official letter to the General of the Central and Western Railways, the government urged that the suggestion be implemented with immediate effect.

Under the &lsquoBegin Again&rsquo Mission, inter-district rail travel was resumed in Maharashtra from October 5, with 50% maximum occupancy. This move follows the efforts of state governments to resume travel and tourism at a local level in their respective states.