With a view to facilitating hassle-free passenger boarding, the Railways has decided to introduce a slew of measures, including setting up of executive lounges and installation of escalators at 50 major stations.
Like airport lounge, the executive lounge, a first in Railways, will have facilities such as seating arrangement, food and beverages, wheel chairs for senior citizens and the physically challenged.
“The executive lounges will come at stations like New Delhi, Howrah, Mumbai and Bangalore to provide value-added service at a charge offering concierge services by trained staff for pre-departure and post-arrival assistance to passengers,” a senior Railway Ministry official said.
The lounge will also have Wi-Fi facility, business centre with fax, lap top facility, locker facility and washroom.
The Railways has allocated Rs 1,102 crore for 2012-13 to improve passenger amenities services.
“We will also be installing 321 escalators at important stations to facilitate easy movement of passengers in the next five years. The installation of 50 escalators will be commissioned during this year,” he said.
Mechanised laundries
In order to improve the hygienic condition, Railways plans to commission 6 more mechanised laundries to provide clean bed sheets, pillow covers and towels during the train journey. Currently, 12 mechanised laundries are functioning.
An approximate 2.5 lakh bed rolls are required daily for trains in the country.
“With the operationalisation of mechanised laundries, it will be easier for the Railways to provide clean and steam washed bed rolls to passengers,” the official said.
Separate corporation
The Railways has announced formation of Railway Station Development Corporation to develop 100 stations across the country.
“There are more than 8,000 stations and efforts are on to provide better amenities like waiting halls, benches, adequate lighting, drinking water, toilets and proper platform services to rail users,” the official said.
An executive lounge is coming up at the Platform 16 in New Delhi station. The lounge, which will be operated by IRCTC, will have 300 sq. m. area.
How to book
“One has to book the executive lounge in advance before reaching the station and the staff deployed by the IRCTC will be there to receive and provide all facilities,” the official said.
There will be a travel desk at the lounge to cater to the needs of hotel or cab booking, ticket bookings for onward journey and even foreign exchange.
“However, the executive lounge will be available for all class of passengers for a fee which has not been decided yet,” he said.