In a first, the Mumbai Central station has added 48 pod retiring rooms to allow passengers to unwind before or after their train journeys. These rooms, starting at just INR 999, come equipped with all facilities for a comfortable stay. By Anushka Goel
Maharashtra’s Mumbai Central station has added pod retiring rooms on its first floor, The Railway Ministry shared on Twitter yesterday (Wednesday, November 17). The waiting room has 48 pods or capsules which come equipped with a mattress, reading light, blanket, pillow, fire extinguishers, headphones and charging sockets, a reading light, WiFi and air conditioning, among other things, to ensure you have a comfortable stay, reports NDTV.
What is a pod or capsule hotel?
मुंबई सेंट्रल स्टेशन येथे “पीओडी ” रिटायरिंग रूम्स.
पॉड कन्सेप्ट वर आधारीत ही सुविधा, प्रवाशांना अत्यंत कमी दरात व मूलभूत सुविधांसह एक उत्तम पर्याय म्हणून उपलब्ध आहे. pic.twitter.com/KsH93qAd0s
— Raosaheb Patil Danve (@raosahebdanve) November 17, 2021
The pod (or capsule hotel) concept originated in Japan and features a large number of small, bed-sized rooms called capsules (pods), which provide the guests with affordable, basic overnight accommodation, reports The Indian Express.
The pods at Mumbai Central are divided into three categories – 30 classic rooms, seven ladies-only rooms, 10 private, and one for the differently-abled. The first two categories can house just one guest each, while the differently-abled room can fit two guests with space for a wheelchair, reports The Indian Express. The private pods will also have a private space within the rooms for the guests.
Happy to share that @RailMinIndia introduces India’s first ever Pod retiring rooms at Mumbai Central Railway Station.
Enjoy the luxury and amenities of a hotel room in compact form at affordable prices with these Pod retiring rooms. pic.twitter.com/hKIQrUzzjZ
— Darshana Jardosh (@DarshanaJardosh) November 17, 2021
These pod retiring rooms will be available for 12 hours at INR 999 and for 24 hours at INR 1,999, reports Hindustan Times. For a private pod, guests will have to shell out INR 1,249 for 12 hours and INR 2,499 for 24 hours. Raosaheb Danve, Union Minister of State for Railways, virtually inaugurated the first pod hotel. Speaking at the event, he said that confirmed seats will not be available for passengers who travel in the general compartments of trains, and these pods will offer affordable accommodation to tired passengers after a long journey.