first ‘Pod Concept Retiring Room’ was launched on Saturday at Bhopal Railway Station’s Platform No. 6, by Bhopal Member of Parliament Alok Sharma. This innovative facility aims to serve the approximately 70,000 passengers who pass through the station daily, offering a modern, safe, and budget-friendly resting option. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Kataria emphasised that the pod-style hotel, managed by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), is designed to provide high-quality comfort at minimal cost, enhancing the travel experience for passengers. The concept introduces compact, private cabins or pods equipped with essential amenities tailored to travellers’ needs.

 

Each pod includes a comfortable bed, storage space for luggage, charging points, high-speed Wi-Fi, a television for entertainment, a makeup mirror, and air conditioning, ensuring a pleasant stay. This set-up is particularly convenient for passengers needing a short rest, such as those waiting for connecting trains or dealing with delays. The facility comprises 78 pods in total: 20 designated for families, 40 multi-bed pods for men, and 18 multi-bed pods for women, catering to diverse travellers’ groups. Pricing is kept affordable with multi-bed pods starting at just Rs 200 and family pods at Rs 400, with rates increasing based on the duration of stay, allowing flexibility for users. Booking is made easy through online access on the IRCTC website or offline at the station, with a PNR number required for reservations. The pod hotel is equipped with additional features like CCTV surveillance for security, a fire safety system, lockers, and separate toilets for men and women with geyser-equipped hot water. This initiative by Indian Railways targets travellers seeking a quick, secure, and economical rest option, especially families or individuals in transit. The Bhopal pod hotel sets a promising example for modernising passenger facilities, with potential to inspire similar developments at other railway stations across the country in the future.