The initiative will begin at Aligarh Junction and Tundla Junction railway stations under the Prayagraj Division. Unisex salons featuring modern interiors will be established in the circulating areas of both stations, allowing male and female passengers to access grooming services while waiting for their trains.
The commercial contract for operating these salons will be offered through an e-auction scheduled for October 24, 2026. According to the information and guidelines issued by the Railway Board, interested and eligible agencies will be able to participate in the bidding process through the official Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS) portal. The e-auction is scheduled to begin at 12 noon.
The proposed salons will offer services including haircuts, shaving, hairstyling and basic grooming for both men and women. The facilities will be established within the circulating areas of the railway stations and will feature modern interiors. The contract for operating and maintaining the salons will be awarded for a period of five years.
The initiative is intended to help passengers make productive use of their waiting time, particularly before long-distance journeys or while waiting for connecting trains. With grooming services available within the station premises, travellers will be able to access these facilities without having to leave the station area.
The initial rollout at Aligarh Junction and Tundla Junction will also serve as a test for the proposed unisex salon model. If the experiment proves successful at these two stations, the Prayagraj Division may extend the facility to other major stations, including Kanpur Central, Prayagraj Junction and Etawah. The model could also be introduced at other major railway stations across the country.
The October 24 e-auction will mark the next step towards implementing the facility, with the five-year operating and maintenance contract determining how the proposed salons are managed at the two stations.
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