Central Railway (CR) has launched an airconditioned waiting lounge at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Passenger will no longer have to wait for long distance trains at platform. They will just have to pay a nominal fee of Rs 10 per hour. The lounge launched by CR is called Namah. The longe connects platform 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 with the main entrance of CSMT main line station. It is being run under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The new waiting lounge will have a dining table, sofa, toilet, bathroom, library, cafe, dedicated charging points, buffet service, laptop seating arrangement, disposable linen kits and more.
In the lines of lounges at airports, there is also an LED screen which display the arrival and departure time of trains and also a train announcement system. The operator of the waiting lounge said, “Initially we are taking Rs 50 per person as a security deposit. When customers leave, we refund the amount.” Children between 5 and 12 will be charged Rs 5 per hour. Entry for children below five is free.
Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer, CR said the cost has been kept low to encourage passengers to use the lounge and not crowd the platforms, especially during peak hours. “As compared to lounges at airports, the fee is pocket-friendly. The general waiting rooms will remain free,” he added.