
VADODARA, Oct 19: The process of converting the Vadodara Railway Station into a model one, though may come as a breather for passengers, has made the six-odd stall-owners there an unhappier lot.
For as per the insructions to allot a space of eight feet by six feet only for the stalls 8212; in order to bring about a uniformity and provide more seating space for passengers 8212; as against 10 feet by eight feet provided earlier, owners would now have to sacrifice valuable area of the shops in order to beautify the platforms. Stall-owners would thus have to reduce the commodities in the shop, which in turn would mean less profits.
One such unhappy person was the medical stall-owner of platform number one. 8220;With so much place allotted to us earlier, it was easy to accommodate all the commodities. But now it would be even difficult to keep an eye on the employees,8221; he complained. Interestingly, a tea-stall owner seemed enthusiastic about the changes. 8220;In a way it is good. For every stall in the station would now have the same amount of space, which would mean more space for the passengers,8221; he beamed.
Hailing the decision, even senior Vadodara Divisional officials said the changes 8212; being made in lines with the modular stalls located on the New Delhi railway station 8212; would make way for better passenger amenities.