14 July,2016 10:10 AM IST | | Shashank Rao
Railways plan to build two AC lounges at Mumbai Central and CST, which will be equipped with bathrooms, changing rooms and buffet facilities, among others
Just months after Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) collaborated with Air India to provide air tickets to Rajdhani passengers on the wait-list by paying marginally extra, it has been learnt that the railways is now planning to build two air-conditioned lounges for long-distance passengers.
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A horde of passengers occupying the concourse awaiting their trains is a daily scenario at CST station. File pic
Equipped with facilities such as bathrooms, changing rooms and buffet, etc, these upcoming lounges will be constructed at Mumbai Central and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus - two of the busiest railway stations in Mumbai.
A one-time fee of Rs 150 per passenger will be charged for using the lounge.
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Speaking to mid-day, Arvind Malkhade, group general manager (Western Region), IRCTC, said, "Tenders for this executive lounge at Mumbai Central have already been floated. As for the one at CST, a proposal has been forwarded to the Railway Board."
Construction sites
The lounge at Mumbai Central will be set up near the entrance, which currently hosts a section of rail mail services. Sources said there is sufficient space for building a lounge. Similarly, the AC facility at CST will be built near the AC ticket counter facing the CR administrative building. Moreover, commuters who step out of the AC lounge will find the black-and-yellow cab prepaid counter right outside.
Spilling all over
At present, steel chairs have been installed at CST to accommodate passengers waiting for their respective trains. However, the situation becomes ugly during morning and evening peak hours, when the crowd occupies the entire concourse as they sleep, eat, etc.
The situation is such that RPF personnel have been deployed to ensure that order is maintained and long-distance passengers do not spill outside the area demarcated using yellow-coloured bollards. However, space crunch makes it difficult for the RPF to ensure that passengers observe discipline.
A similar scene can be witnessed at Mumbai Central, where long-distance passengers occupy the concourse that is surrounded by restaurants and a parcel depot.
