NDLS Opens Advanced Passenger Hub Ahead of Festivals

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially opened the new Yatri Suvidha Kendra at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) on Saturday, aiming to provide enhanced comfort for passengers during the peak festival travel period. This sophisticated facility is engineered to manage a high volume of travelers, with a capacity for approximately 7,000 people, ensuring a smoother pre-boarding process. The Kendra’s thoughtful design features distinct ticketing (2,860 sqm), post-ticketing (1,150 sqm), and pre-ticketing (1,218 sqm) zones. This spatial organization is key to reducing congestion and improving the overall passenger journey near the station’s main access point. Northern Railway has outfitted the Kendra with advanced amenities, including 22 ticketing counters, 25 ATVMs, seating for 200 passengers, and 18 powerful HVLS fans for efficient climate control. The construction involved meticulous planning for the demolition and relocation of existing infrastructure and utilities, ensuring no disruption to services. A significant infrastructure improvement includes the extension of Foot Over Bridge 1 (FOB 1), creating a direct and convenient link to the Metro Station, which will greatly improve multimodal connectivity and ease platform congestion. This launch coincides with the Union Cabinet’s approval of a substantial Rs 1,866 crore Productivity Linked Bonus for railway employees nationwide.