The Maharashtra government on Monday reiterated before the Bombay High Court that the government was seriously considering a change in office timings to reduce overcrowding during peak hours in suburban local trains. The move comes in the wake of growing incidents of commuters in crowded trains falling to their deaths.
“The government is considering a 30-minute change in office timings,” government pleader PP Kakade informed the court during the hearing of a PIL regarding commuter safety.
“The principal secretaries of every department have been asked to look into the matter and give their suggestions.” The government statement came when the division bench of Justices N H Patil and A A Sayed was hearing the petition which also raises issues such as inadequate facilities for commuters, and reservation of seats for senior citizens in local trains.
During the previous hearings, the court had suggested to the government to work on the office timings from the usual 10 am to 5 pm on the weekends and weekdays.
Some offices could work on weekends, and have off-days during the weekdays, and some departments could start work after 11 am, the court had suggested.
Dealing with the issue of lack of basic amenities such as clean toilets and drinking water, the court criticised the Railways as it had done little to improve the situation despite repeated suggestions. The court suggested that if the Railways could not provide and maintain facilities, it could outsource the work.
“We have repeatedly asked the Railways to do something, but only discussions take place, and no action. A commuter just wants clean toilets and drinking water. Let the BMC take over the task of providing these facilities on railway platforms,” the court said. The High court before adjourned the matter for January 22.
