Social media users feel taxpayer money has been “wasted” on “tacky” ambience.
When the Ministry of Railways shared a glimpse of the newly-renovated retiring room at Banaras Railway Station, it only seemed to bring one thing to people’s minds: a dance bar. The choice of aesthetics, including purple and blue profile lighting, and chandeliers, drew comparisons to adult establishments on social media.
“The refurbished retiring room at Banaras Railway Station, Uttar Pradesh has been beautifully renovated with upgraded amenities, passengers can now enjoy enhanced comfort and convenience,” the ministry wrote on X.
A series of pictures shows the types of rooms to choose from and a hallway. One appears to be a suite-sized accommodation with two beds and a laminate interior. Other lodgings, though smaller, have similar matching couches and tables, and LEDs that observers said were distinctly evocative of dance clubs.
“The central pole is missing. Please add that too,” a commenter joked.
A second user asked, “Why have you given Dance Bar kind of lighting ? You could have kept simple 4700k white balanced or even warm white.”
X users complained that taxpayer money had been “wasted” on what they thought was “tacky” ambience that was anything but comfortable even to view digitally. Many suggested the lights be replaced by warmer colours so as to not hurt the eyes of those staying.
Some others have tried to take it up with the Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding an explanation for why the retiring room looks like it was tendered to the lowest bidder.
