In order to provide amenities to passengers, Indian Railways has decided to set up air conditioned (AC) executive lounges and installation of escalators at 50 major stations soon.
In the budget outlay of 2012-13, Ministry of Railways has set aside $210 million (Rs 1,102 crore) to provide amenities to rail passengers.
The lounges will be at par with airport lounges that will provide value added services at a charge, offering facilities such as wi-fi internet, business centre with fax, buffet services, washroom, concierge services for pre-departure and post arrival assistance to passengers at select stations.
Speaking to national daily, a senior railway official said:
“The executive lounges will come at stations like New Delhi, Howrah, Mumbai and Bangalore to provide value added service by trained staff for pre-departure and post-arrival assistance to passengers.”
“To facilitate easy movement of passengers, Railways has decided to installation of 321 escalators at important stations of which 50 will be commissioned during 2012-13,” another railway official said.
To improve hygiene on trains, Railways has plan to commission six more mechanised laundries to provide clean bed sheets, pillow covers and towels during the train journey. Currently, 12 mechanised laundries are functioning.
Railways has also decided to expand housekeeping schemes for trains such as clean train station, on board housekeeping services for cleaning en route and mechanized cleaning at originating and terminating stations.
As per an estimate, over quarter million bedrolls are required daily for trains in the country.
