Bhopal: There is good news for those traveling by train. Now you do not have to worry about the lack of space in the waiting room at the railway station or expensive hotels. The facility of pod hotel has started at Bhopal railway station in Madhya Pradesh, where passengers can avail a comfortable stay for just Rs 200. This facility, started on the lines of Mumbai Central Railway Station, has been brought in view of the increasing crowd of passengers.

What is a pod hotel?

Pod hotel is a modern and affordable stay option, designed in the form of small cabins or “pods”. A total of 78 pods have been built at Bhopal station, including 58 single pods and 20 family pods. Of the single pods, 40 are reserved for men and 18 for women, while two adults and two children can stay comfortably in the family pods. Facilities like pillows, sheets, lights, charging sockets, lockers and Wi-Fi are available in every pod.

A railway official said, “Passengers used to face problems due to lack of space in the waiting room. Pod hotels are a cheap and convenient solution to this problem.” This facility will prove to be a boon especially for those passengers who have to spend hours at the station waiting for the train.

How much is the fare?

The prices of pod hotels have been kept very economical. The charges for a single pod are as follows: Rs 200 for 3 hours, Rs 350 for 6 hours, Rs 500 for 9 hours, Rs 700 for 12 hours and Rs 900 for 24 hours. At the same time, the fare of family pod is Rs 400, 700, 900, 1100 and 1500 respectively. Bhopal local passenger Sanjay Verma expressed happiness and said, “It is like a dream to get so many facilities for Rs 200. Now staying at the station has become easy.” Booking method Booking this pod hotel is also very easy. Passengers can book it online through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) or offline at the station. However, it is necessary to have a PNR number for this. Railways has put this condition so that only genuine passengers get this facility. The booking process has been kept simple, so that even people unaware of technology can use it easily. Journey from Mumbai to Bhopal The concept of pod hotel is not new in India. It was first introduced in 2021 at Mumbai Central Railway Station, where its success prompted the railways to implement it at other stations as well. Bhopal has become the second station where this facility is available. A senior railway official said, “Given its popularity in Mumbai, we are planning to start it at other major stations in the country as well.” Relief for passengers
This facility is especially beneficial for those who want some rest during a long journey. This step has been taken keeping in mind the hundreds of trains and thousands of passengers passing through Bhopal station every day. Sharing her experience, a female passenger Radha Patel said, “It is very good to have a separate pod for women. It is a safe and cheap option.”
Future prospects

Railway experts believe that this initiative of pod hotel is a big step towards the modernization of Indian Railways. Travel expert Ajay Sharma said, “This will not only increase the convenience of passengers but will also increase the income of the railways. In the coming time, it can also be started at stations like Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.”
This pod hotel of Bhopal station is not only economical but has also brought a new experience for the passengers. If you travel by train next time and stay in Bhopal, then definitely avail this facility for just Rs 200.