The Old Delhi railway station, which is more than 150 years old and is currently undergoing a revamp, will soon boast a state-of-the-art executive lounge.
At present, only the New Delhi railway station has an executive lounge among all major stations in the Capital, which is maintained by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
Arun Arora, Divisional Railway Manager (Delhi), said that the executive lounge at the Old Delhi station would be modelled after the one at New Delhi railway station.
The New Delhi railway station was the first in the country to come up with a lounge with a ‘napping zone’, a massage centre, a small 5D movie theatre, family rooms, a business centre, sitting areas with complimentary drinks, a buffet, and a health centre.
“The facilities we offer at railway stations are better than what you get at many airports, that too at just 20% of the price you have to shell out at an airport,” said a senior IRCTC official on condition of anonymity. “We are coming up with executive lounges at railway stations across India, of which the Old Delhi railway station is one,” he said.
Nominal charges
The executive lounge will be open to all railway travellers at an entry fee of ₹150 for two hours. This will allow passengers access to an air-conditioned lounge and complimentary drinks, which will include tea, coffee, lemonade, ice tea, etc. This, besides free Wi-Fi and a clean toilet.
Swipe cards for everyone
After the first two hours, passengers have to pay ₹50 for each subsequent hour. Access to the lounge will be through a swipe card, which will be issued to each passenger at the time of check-in. The smart card will also keep track of the time spent at the lounge. Children up to three feet tall will be allowed free entry.
The New Delhi railway station lounge has a common entry fee of ₹150, while charges for other facilities are separate. Those who want to relax in the napping zone are required to shell out an extra ₹400 for two hours, while those opting for a buffet breakfast have to pay ₹100 extra. A lunch or dinner cost ₹200.
