Latest news with #StationImprovementProject
News18
18-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Indian Railways To Launch First-Ever Digital Lounge At Mumbai Central Station
Last Updated: The lounge, designed to meet airport standards, will be located between food plazas and platforms, making it an efficient place for passengers. The Western Railway has announced to launch its first ever digital lounge —a modern coworking space—at Mumbai Central Railway Station in a bid to modernise railway infrastructure and enhance passenger amenities. The lounge, designed to meet airport standards, will be located between food plazas and platforms, making it an efficient place for passengers waiting for long-distance trains. According to Western Railway officials, the infrastructure is would be Indian Railways' first-ever co-working space, which is being developed over a 1712 sq ft area within the station premises. The project is part of Indian Railways' efforts to improve station infrastructure while generating non-fare revenue. The contract for developing the space has been awarded through a tendering process. 'This initiative redefines the concept of station waiting areas. We are committed to creating a seamless and enriching travel experience by integrating technology, comfort, and functionality," a senior official was quoted as saying by Free Press Journal. Salient Features Of The Lounge The lounge will feature a mix of co-workstations and private cubicles, along with amenities such as high-speed internet, charging ports, comfortable seating, printing and scanning services, and light refreshments through self-dispensing machines. The place will also have conference rooms and meeting facilities for organising small professional or social functions. Indian Express. Capable of accommodating 20 to 50 users at a time, the lounge will be open to both ticketed passengers and the general public. While pricing models are yet to be finalised, the lounges are expected to operate on an hourly charge basis. Western Railway expects to earn about Rs 50 lakh per annum just from the Mumbai Central lounge, with combined revenue potential from equivalent lounges in the region at Rs 2.71 crore. The digital lounge initiative would likely be expanded other important locations such as Andheri, Goregaon, Borivali, Bandra Terminus, and other locations under Rs 947 crore Station Improvement Project by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation. First Published: May 18, 2025, 16:20 IST
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Coming soon at Mumbai Central: Railways' first digital lounge with workstations, here are its features
Western Railway will soon open India's first digital lounge, which will be a complete co-working facility at the Mumbai Central railway station. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Railways to enhance station infrastructure and provide modern amenities to commuters. The lounge, designed to meet airport standards, will be conveniently located between food plazas and platforms, making it an efficient place for travellers waiting for long-distance trains. The lounge will be created in a 1,712 sq ft empty space and will combine shared workstations and enclosed cubicles. It will be air-conditioned and provided with high-speed internet, power charging points, comfortable seating, printing and scanning facilities and light refreshments via self-dispensing machines. The place will also have conference rooms and meeting facilities for organising small professional or social functions. According to officials, the lounge is an attempt to cater to the new generation and help them utilise their waiting time for work purposes. 'The facility is being developed keeping in mind the digital generation who prefer working on the go and would utilise their waiting time for productive purposes,' said Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway. Meant to seat 20 to 50 passengers at a time, the lounge will be available to both train travellers and the general public. The officials said that it will likely function on an hourly fee system under a private partnership model. Western Railway expects to earn about Rs 50 lakh per annum just from the Mumbai Central lounge, with combined revenue potential from equivalent lounges in the region at Rs 2.71 crore. This digital lounge initiative is the Railways' new thrust for innovation in line with national ambitions such as Digital India. The idea is to make railway stations the city centres of comprehensive services, other than transport. As part of the Rs 947 crore Station Improvement Project by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, identical digital lounges have been planned at other important locations such as Andheri, Goregaon, Borivali, Bandra Terminus, and other locations. 'After this lounge is successful, we also plan to extend it to other railway stations on the western railway as it gains popularity,' added the spokesperson. Mumbai Central will be the pilot site, with construction and furnishing to be done by a private contractor. The idea brings contemporary workspaces into transit areas and provides a pragmatic solution for professionals, business travellers, and regular commuters who need workspaces in transit. 'The project also maximises non-fare revenue for Indian Railways by making efficient use of underutilised station space,' said Abhishek. The lounge is expected to open to the public in the coming months, offering a seamless blend of mobility and productivity at one of Mumbai's busiest railway terminals.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
WR to launch first-ever digital lounge at Mumbai Central station
MUMBAI: In a move to enhance passenger experience and promote flexible working solutions, Western Railways is set to launch its first digital lounge—a modern coworking space—at Mumbai Central Terminus, which serves as a key terminus for long-distance and suburban trains. Strategically located in the station's concourse area, between the food plazas and platforms, this initiative aims to provide a productive alternative for commuters who often spend considerable time waiting for trains. Western Railway officials revealed that a vacant 1,712 sq ft space will be transformed into a fully equipped, air-conditioned coworking zone. This innovative project is part of Indian Railways' efforts to improve station infrastructure while generating non-fare revenue. The contract for developing the space has been awarded through a tendering process. The lounge will feature a mix of communal workstations and private cubicles, along with amenities such as high-speed internet, charging ports, comfortable seating, printing and scanning services, and light refreshments through self-dispensing machines. Conference rooms and areas for hosting small events will also be available, making the space suitable for both professional and social use. 'The concept draws inspiration from similar lounges at European railway stations, where passengers can use designated spaces to work while they wait,' said a senior Western Railway official. 'We already have executive lounges for rest; the digital lounge is a step forward in offering convenience and flexibility to travellers.' Capable of accommodating 20 to 50 users at a time, the lounge will be open to both ticketed passengers and the general public. While pricing models are yet to be finalised, the lounges are expected to operate on an hourly charge basis under a private partnership model. Western Railway anticipates annual revenue of ₹50 lakh from the Mumbai Central lounge alone, with total revenue potential estimated at ₹2.71 crore. The digital lounge initiative may soon be expanded to other key stations, including Andheri, Goregaon, Borivali, Bandra Terminus, and Mumbai Central. With the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation constructing elevated decks at 17 stations under the ₹947 crore Station Improvement Project, railway authorities are identifying suitable spaces near commercial hubs to install similar facilities. 'This will significantly enhance the travel experience, especially for office-goers and business travellers,' added the official. 'It's a smart utilisation of space that aligns with our vision of modern, commuter-friendly stations.'
