After over two-and-a-half months, Western Railway and Central Railway resumed limited suburban train services within the Mumbai on Monday morning.
The Western Railway and Central Railway have reportedly decided to resume selected suburban services for essential staff. Apparently, these special suburban services won't be for the general public but strictly for essential staff as identified by the govt of Maharashtra.
The local services on the network of Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) -- the city's lifeline -- is specifically for the workers of the Maharashtra government who are engaged in essential services.
As per press agency ANI, Western Railway will run 73 pairs of suburban services including eight pairs between Virar and Dahanu Road. It reported that Central Railway will run 200 services (100 up and 100 down) 130 services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT) to Kasara/Karjat/Kalyan/Thane and 70 services from CSMT to Panvel.

According to a joint media release by the Western Railway & Central Railway, "Western Railway and Central Railway have decided to resume their selected suburban services over WR, CR (mainline and harbour line) for essential staff as identified by the government .”

Accordingly, WR will run 60 pairs of its 12 car suburban services (total 120 i.e. 60 in Up direction & 60 in Down direction) between Churchgate and Dahanu Road w.e.f. Monday, June 15, 2020, with defined protocol & SOP, just for movement of essential staff as identified by the government.
These trains will run from 5.30 am to 11.30 pm with an interval of about quarter-hour. Maximum services will run between Churchgate and Virar, but few also will run up to Dahanu Road. These services will run as fast local train over WR, between CCG and Borivali & will run as slow beyond Borivali.
Central Railway reportedly said, EMU Services running plan of Mumbai Division (C.R.) for essential staff as identified by the state government--Total 200 services will run (100 UP+ 100 DN). CSMT to Kasara, Karjat, Kalyan, Thane- 130 services (65 UP+ 65 DN). CSMT to Panvel- 70 services (35 UP+ 35 DN) consistent with the media release, common for both Railways- Approximately 1.25 lakh essential staff (including 50 thousand on Western Railway) as identified by the government are expected to pass by these trains.
The Central Railway has also released SOPs before resuming local train services.
Travelling authority is going to be applicable as per normal procedure over WR & CR for Season Tickets etc & certain booking windows are going to be opened for an equivalent, on which respective staff is going to be facilitated on showing their Govt ID cards.
It is observed that owing to the lockdown, commutation ticket holders lost a variety of days despite holding a legitimate commutation ticket. It's been decided to increase the validity of the season tickets to the extant of days lost. An equivalent shall be permitted at the UTS counters at the stations to those permitted by the government. UTS counters can also issue fresh tickets/ season tickets to persons permitted by the government of Maharashtra.
For tickets issued on UTSON MOBILE APP, the revalidation could also be deemed to possess been done till the changes are effected by CRIS within the system. Accordingly, CRIS may make necessary changes regarding revalidation of season tickets within the UTSONMOBILE system for persons as allowed by the government of Maharashtra in coordination with Western & Central Rlys. UTSON MOBILE shall still remain suspended till further advice.
The Railway workman special trains, already running will still run. RPF/GRP/State Police are going to be deployed at various stations.
Entry is going to be given at stations strictly through ID cards of essential staff as identified by the government. Later on, the staff is going to be issued QR based E-passes which can also bear color-coding to enable swifter ticket checking. the government will make sure the same.
Railways, also because the government, will ensure multiple rounds of checking to make sure only essential staff as identified by the government, should board these trains.
The government has been urged to make sure all those allowed to travel, are done so after ensuring that they're medically fit and don't come from the containment zone.
To allow adequate social distancing within the coaches, unlike its capaciousness to accommodate about 1,200 persons, only about 700 are to be allowed per train.
Further, the government is suggested to stagger the timings of its offices for workers coming from different areas to make sure there's no crowding at the stations and inside the trains.
Strict imposition of "NO HAWKER & NO PARKING ZONE" in station circulating area at 150 meters radius. Approach roads to stations shall be ensured to enable smooth passage of identified passengers and stop any mass gathering of the public at station premises by respective Municipal Corporations in their respective areas.
Ambulances are going to be kept at each station along with the medical staff to affect the emergency situation arises during the travel of commuters by respective Municipal Corporations.