- Railway employees to get upgraded, spacious multi-storey flats.
- New quarters feature bigger rooms, balconies, and luggage lifts.
- Permissible area for Type-II, III, IV quarters significantly increased.
Jagran Correspondent, Prayagraj: Good news for railway employees, as the living standards of millions residing in railway colonies are set to improve. The Railways is upgrading the design and facilities of its multi-storey residential buildings, with new quarters expected to offer amenities comparable to those available in modern residential societies developed by private builders.
Under the new provisions, railway employees will be allotted flats with more spacious and well-ventilated rooms, larger balconies and separate luggage lifts for transporting heavy goods. Construction of new residential buildings has already begun in Prayagraj, while allotments have also been made in two buildings.
According to Jagran.com, the Railway Board has issued an order introducing changes to the design, size and facilities of multi-storey residential buildings to be constructed in urban areas.
Bigger and Better Railway Quarters
Earlier, the railway authorities used to build mostly low-rise residential quarters, generally comprising one or two storeys. These homes offered employees larger courtyards, better access to sunlight and fresh air, and sufficient space for storing household belongings.
However, the increasing shortage of land in urban areas has prompted the railways to shift towards multi-storey residential buildings, including structures of more than four storeys. The revised design aims to ensure that employees continue to receive comfortable and functional housing despite the limited availability of land.
Larger Flats for Railway Employees
As part of the changes, the Railways has approved an increase in the permissible area of different categories of residential quarters to provide more spacious living spaces and better ventilation.
The area of Type-II quarters, which was earlier fixed at 75 square metres, will now range from 75 to 104 square metres.
Similarly, Type-III quarters will now have an area ranging from 85 to 114 square metres, compared with the earlier fixed size of 85 square metres.
The permissible area of Type-IV quarters has also been increased from 110 square metres to a maximum of 130 square metres. In addition, a separate 25-square-metre attendant unit will be provided.
General and Luggage Lifts to Be Mandatory
According to Ravi Mittal, Joint Director, Land and Amenities, Railway Board, new multi-storey residential buildings will be required to have both general lifts and separate luggage lifts.
The buildings will also feature modern garbage shafts to facilitate waste management. Other planned amenities include parking spaces, parks and playgrounds, providing residents with a more comfortable and modern living environment.
All railway zones have been directed to implement the revised provisions with immediate effect.
( With inputs from Amarish Kumar )