Sealdah station gets state's first executive lounge

Kolkata: The executive lounge opened by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at Sealdah station has become very popular among the passengers within a week of its inauguration.

Only of its kind in eastern India, the facilities of the lounge can be availed for two hours against a payment of Rs 100. Drinking water and tea and coffee are given free of cost to the passengers. They can have their breakfast and lunch or dinner at the adjacent restaurant. If the bill at the restaurant is more than Rs 500, a concession is given to the passengers occupying the lounge. They can also take rest at the lounge and freshen up there.

Debashis Chandra, general manager, IRCTC, Eastern India, said the lounge has become very popular among the passengers who come to the city in the morning, do their work during the day and catch the train in the night to go back to their homes. They keep their luggage in the cloakroom and go out for work. IRCTC proposes to open a similar executive lounge in Siliguri soon.

Sumita Ray, who came from Siliguri to the city for a day to attend a seminar, said: "I was really touched by the cleanliness and décor of the executive lounge. The cloakroom is spacious and safe. I welcome the move." IRCTC officials said in the past one week, the response of the passengers has been very positive and many had inquired about it.