MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Thursday asked the Maharashtra government to consider issuing a “common card” to enable selective access on local trains to those fully vaccinated.
Counsels for the state and Centre replied they would discuss the proposal, but indicated that the sheer volume of daily commuters on Mumbai’s suburban network—70 lakh—had to be borne in mind before implementing any system.
The judges referred to an interview of Covid Task Force member Dr Shashank Joshi where he was quoted as saying that the process to identify those vaccinated to enable train travel would be cumbersome. Dr Joshi had said the state was yet to achieve 70% immunization coverage among adults and 30% of its total population remained unexposed to the virus, going by serological surveys. In such circumstances, it would not be safe to allow even those fully vaccinated to use trains as that would spread the virus faster among those unexposed or unvaccinated.
However, Chief Justice Dipankar Datta said “it is for the Centre and State to find” a mechanism, adding that dedicated counters should be opened to issue passes to those vaccinated. Justice Girish Kulkarni said entry to stations must be by cards as it is in some countries. Cater to the needs of all sections while lifting Covid-19 restrictions rather than “allowing some and preventing others,” said the judges hearing PILs on the issue.
Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said the State has agreed to let lawyers, their clerks and staff travel by train. Advocate Alankar Kirpekar, representing activist Mohan Bhide, said all those with dual vaccination must be allowed to commute by railways. The judges agreed.
The bench said travel is a serious issue in Mumbai and train travel is most economical. “You cannot compare Mumbai with other cities in the State. This is a city with special needs,’’ said Justice Kulkarni. He suggested an expert committee, like the Task Force, to decide on issues coming to HC. “Whatever lakhs are to be allowed, those doubly vaccinated allow them,” said the CJ. Justice Kulkarni then said there can be a “common card for all utilities... even for foreign travel.” “It can be considered,’’ replied Singh.
Advocate Nilesh Pawaskar, for Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, asked for journalists be allowed on trains “to reach ground zero.” He said their PIL is for declaring journalists as frontline workers; 140 journalists have died of Covid, he said. “Our endeavour is not only for lawyers to travel (by train ) but also other walks of life,’’ said CJ, asking if one could be infected in buses as well. Advocate Milind Sathe, for State Bar Council, said “on buses anyone can travel... social distancing is gone.”
