3 min readMar 28, 2026 08:36 PM IST
In an attempt to improve passenger amenities at train stations, a Digital Lounge was inaugurated at the Vadodara Railway station on Saturday, a first of its kind facility in Gujarat and second of the Indian Railways after the one launched at Mumbai Central in December last year.
Inaugurated by MP Dr Hemang Joshi and Sayajigunj MLA Keyur Rokadia, the 24×7 Digital Lounge, similar to the VVIP access lounge at airports, offers high-speed Wi-Fi, workstations, charging points, comfortable seating, and conference facilities along with real-time train information display, CCTV surveillance, controlled access, modern washrooms, and a cashless payment system.
Additional services such as printing, scanning, photocopying, refreshments and beverages will also be available, the Railways said.
The Railways has also introduced flexible usage plans, including short-duration seating, hourly workstation usage, extended lounge packages, meeting room bookings, and pay-per-use services. “Recliner seating options have also been provided for enhanced comfort. Special emphasis has been placed on cleanliness, safety, and environmental standards,” the Western Railways said in a release on Saturday.
Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi said that the Digital Lounge “reflects the vision of developed Vadodara contributing to a developed India.”
“Passengers can now enjoy premium facilities at the railway station. Travelers can access meeting spaces, refreshments, and relaxation zones at one place. Affordable shower and washroom facilities have also been provided, making this a proud achievement for the city,” Joshi said.
Rokadia remarked that the Lounge is a significant step for Vadodara given the future development programmes such as the bullet train connectivity and separate cargo decks.
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Divisional Railway Manager of Vadodara Division Raju Bhadke said that the Railways is making continuous efforts to transform Vadodara into a “world-class railway station”. “Emphasis is being laid on maintaining high standards of cleanliness and making it one of the cleanest stations on Western Railway. Under the guidance of the Chairman and CEO of Railway Board, and as part of the ‘Swachh Station’ initiative, this Digital Lounge has been conceptualised under the NFR initiative. Designed with a banyan tree theme inspired by Vadodara’s heritage, the lounge is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and reinforces the commitment to delivering superior passenger services.”
With Vadodara emerging as a major commercial, industrial, and business hub, and also a key tourism transit point for Ekta Nagar and various religious destinations around, the Railways has also planned to complete four new foot over bridges in the next 18 months. “Improved facilities for persons with disabilities, and high-speed train connectivity will further enhance passenger convenience,” Bhadke said.
