In a major upgrade to passenger amenities, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday inspected the newly constructed Yatri Suvidha Kendra (Permanent Holding Area) at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS). The modern facility can accommodate around 7,000 passengers at a time, significantly improving pre-boarding comfort and passenger flow. Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw said, “The newly developed state-of-the-art Yatri Suvidha Kendra will offer much-needed comfort to passengers, especially during the festive season when traveller volumes surge. Similar facilities will be developed at other major stations across the country.” A Three-Zone Passenger Hub The new Yatri Suvidha Kendra has been strategically divided into three zones to streamline passenger movement and reduce congestion. It features a ticketing area of 2,860 square metres, a post-ticketing area of 1,150 square metres, and a pre-ticketing area spanning 1,218 square metres. This spatial design ensures smooth transitions between ticketing, waiting, and boarding areas. Key Features and Facilities The Kendra is equipped with advanced amenities aimed at maximising passenger convenience, safety, and accessibility. Ticketing: 22 modern ticket counters and 25 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) for faster service. Capacity & Comfort: Seating for 200 passengers and 18 High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) fans for effective cooling. Sanitation & Water: A 652-square-metre toilet block with an RO-based drinking water system. Information & Safety: 24-speaker announcement system, 3 LED train information displays, and 7 fire-fighting units. Security: 18 CCTV cameras, 5 luggage scanners, and 5 door-frame metal detectors. Infrastructure and Connectivity Upgrades During construction, Northern Railway tackled multiple challenges, including the relocation of ATMs, a Delhi Police cabin, hoardings, and utility lines such as water, drainage, and optic fibre cables — all without disrupting regular operations. An important infrastructure enhancement accompanied the project — the extension of Foot Over Bridge 1 (FOB 1). This now allows passengers alighting at NDLS to directly exit towards the Metro Station, improving multimodal connectivity and reducing congestion on the platforms. Commitment to Modernisation The Union Minister was joined by Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board; Ashok Kumar Verma, General Manager, Northern Railway; and other senior officials. They briefed the minister on the planning, design, and execution of the project. The inspection reaffirmed the Railway Ministry’s focus on modernising key stations, ensuring world-class passenger facilities, and strengthening India’s rail infrastructure to meet growing travel demands.