More executive lounges, better toilets for Old Ggn railway station

After Old Gurgaon Railway station was revamped, the Northern Railway now plans to add more amenities for the comfort of passengers. The authorities have started work on the reconstruction of the station building and are planning to develop executive lounges, bigger and better toilets, food courts and air conditioned waiting rooms in the next couple of years.

This was a result of recording a 30 per cent increase in the footfall at the station in the last six months. The station was upgraded to Grade A from Grade B and around Rs 3.5 crore was allocated for its revamp by the Northern Railway. Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjeet Singh, who is also the minister of state for planning, has allocated around Rs 60 lakh from his MPLAD funds.

The renovation process has other upgradation plans where the station will be all set to get another entry point and pedestrian bridge, giving more access options to passengers. According to the officials, total cost of these projects will be around Rs 2.5 crore and the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon will fund it. More solar panels will also be installed on the roofs of the shelters and the platform will also be lit with LED lights, officials said. The renovation work started around a year ago and is now in its final lap.

“These are short-term goals which have been completed. We plan to provide more amenities to passengers here and work will soon start to fulfil our long-term goals,” Arun Arora, Divisional Railway Manager, said.

However, safety and security still remain an important issue. The station does not have metal detectors or bag scanners yet and CCTV cameras are yet to be installed. “The authorities are working to provide all amenities to passengers. Soon, the issue of security as well as other problems will be resolved and more facilities will be provided,” said Ajeet Kumar Srivastav, Senior Division Finance Officer, Delhi Division.