Unlock 4 permits Metro Rail to run
It may take a day or two before a decision is announced on resumption of Metro Rail services in Hyderabad.
Though the Union home ministry on Saturday announced that Metro Rail services could be resumed from Septe-mber 7, as part of Unlock 4.0, it was learnt that a decision on when these trains will begin running again in the city will be taken after a review by the state government. Any decision will be taken only after weighing the pros and cons and the the Covid19 situation in the city. The first priority is safety, an official said.
Before the outbreak of Covid-19, the Hyderabad Metro Rail services were transporting on an average 4,90,000 people per day. Delhi Metro, which intends to start services on September 7, has planned on limiting the number of people in lifts and longer halting time for trains to allow physical distancing.
In its Unlock 4 guidelines, the Union home ministry said political, social and religious congregations of up to 100 people will be permitted from September 21. Unlock 4 will come into effect from September 1 and will continue till September 30.
Schools, colleges and educational and coaching institutions will remain closed for students till September 30, with some relaxations for students of classes 9 to 12 to go to school to clarify doubts. States may permit up to 50 per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching or tele-counselling and related work.
The Centre said that state governments shall not impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the Centre. This bears significance as sporadic and weekend lockdowns have been implemented by various state governments across the country.
The permission to hold political and other gatherings comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, which are due in OctoberNovember.
Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres and similar places will remain shut and international air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA, will not be allowed. Open-air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from September 21.
Higher education institutions only for research scholars (PhD) and postgraduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory and experimental works will be permitted by the department of higher education (DHE) in consultation with MHA.