AC Waiting Lounge at Haridwar Junction Railway Station is on Platform No. 1.
I reached Haridwar Junction Railway Station from Rishikesh to travel via HW BDTS EXP (19020) to Mumbai.
As there was approx. 1 hour for the train to start the journey I started searching the waiting room and I found AC Waiting Lounge.
I decided to enter the AC Waiting Lounge but first I was requested to submit the train ticket PNR number to the booking counter.
Below are the details of the AC Waiting Lounge:
Seating Charges per Person per Hour
For an Adult – Rs. 30
For a Child (5 to 12 years) – Rs. 20
For a Child (below 5 years) – Nil
Note: Passengers sitting in the AC waiting hall are requested to keep track of their check-out time otherwise a charge of Rs. 30 per person for 0 to 60 minutes will be charged.
I registered my name and PNR number and paid Rs. 60 (2 travelers) to avail the seating facilities of the AC Waiting Lounge.
After entering the AC Waiting Lounge I saw a massage/relaxation chair and the charge to avail the services was Rs. 50 for a 10-minute massage and Rs. 80 for a 20-minute massage.
Not only the massage/relaxation chair there is a locker facility available too and the charges were:
Per-Locker 0-24 Hrs – Rs. 50
Every Subsequent 24 Hrs – Rs. 70
Other than above said facilities there is a small canteen where packed foods & drinks are available on M.R.P.
Tea (150 ml.) for Rs. 10, Coffee (150 ml.) for Rs. 10, Rail Neer (1 ltr.) Packaged Drinking Water for Rs. 15, Cold Drinks on MRP., Veg. Sandwich (125 gm.) 2 Slices Bread with Veg. + Tomato Sauce for Rs. 18 and ice cream on MRP.
I had a cup of hot coffee.
In short, I found the AC Waiting Lounge comfortable – the best for resting and relaxing, safe, less crowded, cool, clean, and excellent for waiting before catching the train for individual destinations.
The toilet I did not use. Can’t say about its cleanliness still one must visit the AC Waiting Lounge at least once.
The experience was amazing. I loved the idea of having such an AC waiting lounge at a railway station.
In short: Affordable prices, hygiene, and cleanliness at par, all under one roof – open 24×7. It’s worth all the money.
Any bona fide railway passenger with a PNR or Aadhaar Card can rest at the AC Waiting Lounge.
These lounges enhanced passenger’s rail travel experience. A hidden gem.
A great initiative by the railways.