Restrooms, dormitory to come up at city rly station

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, January 8

Passengers commuting from trains could soon enjoy a stay at the Chandigarh Railway station at an affordable price. The railway authorities are going to introduce a dormitory and restrooms for people who are visiting the city for a brief period.

Two retiring rooms have been set up near the parcel office at the station and soon it will be thrown open to the public.

Passengers visiting the railway station could check-in at rooms after completing verification formalities in the office of the Station Superintendent.

“Soon the parcel office will be shifted to make way for a dormitory.  It could accommodate nearly 20 beds. Passengers visiting during late night hours or wanting a brief stay in the city could avail the facility at a minimal price,” said TP Singh, Station Superintendent.

He said the move was initiated after passengers visiting the station complained that there was no mid- range hotel or ‘sarai’ in the vicinity, due to which they have to spend the night at the entrance of the railway station.

Many passengers sitting at the railway station also expressed similar views.

“Chandigarh is an expensive city any decent hotel charge no less than Rs 1,000 for a day’s stay.  During  winters, trains usually  arrive late. In such a scenario, we are left with no option but take shelter at the entrance of the railway station and wait for dawn.  Establishing of a dormitory will be a great help for passengers like us who are visiting the city for work,” said Sushil Kumar, who works for a Delhi-based publisher  and was in the city for work.

Another passenger said establishing of restrooms would be a great help for passengers as they would no longer have to look for  hotels and shelter homes near the station.

“We come by train every week. We will check-in at rest rooms, do our work and return home. It will make things easy for us,” said Bhupinder Kumar, a Delhi resident.