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Come early, go early: Maharashtra offers half-hour flexibility to women staff

Come early, go early: Maharashtra offers half-hour flexibility to women staff

Yekkirala Akshitha
March 12, 2026

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday launched the Come Early, Go Early initiative, offering flexible office hours to women state government employees in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) . Announced by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar in the Legislative Council during a discussion for International Women’s Day , the policy allows women working under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to report between 9.15 am and 9.45 am and leave earlier by the same number of minutes, up to a maximum of 30 minutes , provided office hours are completed. Authorities stressed that in urgent cases, such as legislative duties or court matters, employees may be required to stay beyond the flexible window.

The government said the measure aims to reduce crowding on suburban trains , which remain heavily congested during peak hours in Mumbai and adjoining districts. Pawar described it as relief for women facing daily commuting stress and framed the move as part of broader efforts for women’s empowerment .

Highlighting safety and welfare measures, she cited Operation Muskan , which traced 42,594 missing children , and Operation Shodh , which located thousands of missing women and children. Missing persons cells are functional across all districts, and 51 Bharosa Cells address women’s issues. Cybercrime prevention systems have also been set up at major railway stations.

Pawar detailed economic initiatives including Ladki Bahin , Annapurna and Lakhpati Didi , along with platforms like Umed Mall and Umed Mart , offering market access for products made by women’s self‑help groups, now also online. She noted 180 days of maternity leave and up to one year of half‑pay leave post-maternity, and emphasized the Fourth Women’s Policy and Adishakti Abhiyan to prevent child marriage and reduce school dropouts.

While the initiative offers minor commuting relief , observers note that a 30‑minute flexibility is unlikely to significantly ease overcrowding on Mumbai trains, which requires broader transport and staggered-work solutions for meaningful impact.