Madhya Pradesh’s first-ever pod retiring room facility for railway passengers was inaugurated at Bhopal railway station on Saturday. Located on platform number 6, the facility comprises 78 modern pods, offering passengers a convenient and private resting space.
Passengers can book a small cabin pod for Rs 200 for three hours, while a family pod costs Rs 400 for the same duration. The pods are designed to provide short-term rest for travelers waiting for connecting trains or needing a break during their journey.
The facility was inaugurated by BJP MP Alok Sharma in the presence of Bhopal Divisional Railway Manager Devashish Tripathi. This development marks a significant step forward in passenger amenities in the West Central Railway zone, which comprises the Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Kota divisions.
This is also the second such facility in the country after the introduction of pod accommodations at Mumbai Central Railway Station in 2021. According to Bhopal railway division’s public relations officer Naval Agrawal and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Kataria, the pods represent a modern and efficient approach to short-stay accommodation at railway stations.Each pod is equipped with a sleeping space, luggage storage area, charging points, a TV for entertainment, Wi-Fi, mirror, and air-conditioning. The facility includes 20 pods specifically designed for families, 40 multi-bed pods for male passengers, and 18 for female passengers.The pods are priced according to usage duration, giving travelers flexibility in choosing both the type and time of stay. In addition to individual amenities, the complex also features separate toilets for men and women, CCTV surveillance, a luggage and locker room, and proper fire safety systems to ensure passenger security.Bookings can be made both online through the IRCTC website and offline at the station. A valid PNR number is required to reserve a pod. The facility, managed by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), was introduced in response to the needs of the nearly 70,000 passengers who use Bhopal railway station daily.
