COOL AND COMFY: The lounge at Pandit Nehru Bus Station a boon for passengers. — PHOTO: RAJU V.

VIJAYAWADA: The Pandit Nehru Bus Station in the city has attained a new look. The place now exudes a refreshing touch of elegance, thanks to the long-awaited air-conditioned deluxe Volvo lounge that has come up near platform no. 29.

Though the inauguration of the new facility was a low-key affair, it took no time for people dotting the bus station to take note of the lounge, which spells luxury and comfort. Thrown open to public last Saturday, the lounge of 500 square feet area with a stylish look is an eye-catcher.

Travellers of RTC's Garuda service can leave behind their awful memories of an agonising wait in the sultry surroundings of the bus station and walk into the lap of opulence that sets a perfect mood for their journey ahead.

Plush interiors

The subtle but fabulous backdrop in the waiting hall invites people to omit the crowded surroundings and relax in its cosy confines. The seats are spacious and arranged in a modern way. Garuda travellers will be allowed to use the facility free of cost from 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the bus, while others will have to pay Rs. 5 an hour.

The air-conditioned hall has a plush interior, which includes a mega Sony LCD screen for movie watching, and newspapers, books and magazines to read. "Our objective is to extend quality service to passengers. We will not compromise on class," says G. Narayana Rao, proprietor of the lounge. It is an entirely private venture, as it is developed and maintained by a private agency. While the main lounge can accommodate 50 people, its extension (divided into two different rooms) has a seating capacity for 25 and 20, respectively. The nearly 20 cushy imported sleeper rock chairs in one of the rooms is an added luxury for long-distance travellers. "The lounge is a welcome addition in the bus station. But permanence of the comfort depends on how it will be maintained," says Amarnath Reddy, a businessman from Hyderabad. "This is the best thing to have happened to this place," chips in young Alekhya, reclining in the chair and closing her eyes slowly.

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