The day before, I had some spare time at Kathgodam Railway Station while waiting for my return train to Dehradun. So I decided to take a stroll to the other end of the platform just to see how a rail-head looks like at the end (Katgodam being the last destination for railway line). After watching all the four tracks ending in a wall with cushioning for the coach-links and thus pacifying my curiousity (as I had never seen this anywhere before), I turned back towards the rail canteen. Here I saw an airconditioned lounge nearby with a strange sign reading “Arrival & Departure Transit Lounge”. Strange because Kathgodam being the last point for the railways, this station is never used for any transit! Passengers take to road for reaching the popular hill station of Nainital from here. And this lounge was neatly kept with its glittering tiles and wall-finish. It was inaugurated just two months back on the 24th of February and was open to all. It was occupied by many passengers and many more curious onlookers were coming in just to enjoy & taste the airconditioned environment.

I couldn’t understand the use of this longe. Kahgodam being the base station for Nainital - a favourite summer hill station of many, is not so hot. Even Waiting Rooms for A.C. passengers are also not airconditioned here! But this lounge is! Not even the state capital of Dehradun boast of any such airconditioned lounge, forget about this in stations at relatively hot destinations. But if railways wish to provide better amenities to all pasengers, all waiting rooms and rail coaches should also have aircondition and this too in every station (presently only six trains come to Kathgodam daily, ). Only then inauguration of such lounges will be justified at places like Kathgodam. Delhi Metro will be a good example to look at.