Opened for a day, executive lounge at rly station closed

Mohit Khanna 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

Bringing world-class status for the Chandigarh railway station appears to be a far cry as the railway authorities are busy safeguarding the existing structure. The much-hyped executive lounge that was opened for the public merely for a day has been locked again. 

The authorities of the Chandigarh railway station said that merely few hours after it was opened for the public, some mischievous elements allegedly damaged the seating arrangements. Following the incident, the railway station authorities have written a letter to senior railway officials asking them to fame a policy. 

It was on May 1 that the railway authorities had opened the executive lounge for passengers of the Shatabdi train. “But that proved to be a mistake. Within few hours after opening the lounge the expensive sofas (Godrej furniture) were torn from certain places. Within few hours, the lounge was left in a mess and we decided to close it till the time we receive a clear policy on it,” said an official at the Chandigarh railway station. 

When contacted, Station Superintendent TP Singh said, “A letter was sent to the authorities for framing a policy. We are awaiting response as to who will manage the lounge. Till we get a response, the lounge will remain closed.”

Sources said the station superintendent has sought policy on the category of people to be allowed to use the lounge and guidelines on penalty for damaging government property. 

The Railways has issued a list of 50 stations where executive lounges will be managed by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), but the list has no mention of the Chandigarh railway station. 

The condition of escalator is also not different. The stains of pan spit on the beginning of escalator welcomes the visitors at the station.A group of foreigners, who were visiting Chandigarh, were disgusted to spot the filth around the escalator. 

Disappointed with the expression of the foreign visitor, a railway employee said, “Who should we blame for bring bad name for the city. Sadly, people ill-treat government property. The maintenance of the station should be given in private hands. People snub the government employee if the latter raises objection and stops people from spitting and littering around,” said Gaurav Sachdeva, who was standing in queue to buy tickets.

Chandigarh Railway Station slipped from the sixth slot to the 48th in the Swachh Rail Survey, a part of the Swachh Survekshan-2017. 

TP Singh said, “The construction work for the lift has been completed and it will be soon made operational.  The constriction work of the second lift to be installed on the Panchkula side was under process.”

The railway authorities fear that the newly-constructed lift may meet the same fate as that of the escalator.  The lodge was inaugurated by MP Kirron Kher on October 3 last year.