In a historic move, the Indian Railways has decided to add massages to the list of services provided on trains. The massage services are going to be made available on 39 trains departing from Indore. Services will include foot and head massages for Rs 100 each. According to railway officials, the move is meant to bolster revenues from non-ticket sources in railways.
However, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Indore, Shankar Lalwani feel that massage services on train specially in front of women commuters is inappropriate and against the Indian culture. Lalwani has written a letter to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal asking him to reconsider the decision on such services.
In his letter dated June 10, Lalwani said that he was surprised to know that Indian Railways is going to introduce Massage services on train. He felt that the adding a massage service was unnecessary, especially when so many other sectors of the railways required more attention. Lalwani in his letter rather stressed that instead of adding superficial services, the railways should rather concentrate its energies on cleanliness, hygiene, medical facility on trains.
The massage service is likely to commence in the next 15-20 days, however, the service will not be available during night hours (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM). As per the rate list, the Gold massage using any non-sticky oil or olive oil for 15-20 minutes will cost Rs 100. The Diamond massage using any essential oil, cream and wipes for 15-20 minutes will cost Rs 200, while the Platinum massage using any Argan oil, cream and wipes for 15-20 minutes will cost Rs 300.
