Retiring rooms at Pune Junction to be upgraded

PUNE: The railway passengers will soon be able to enjoy a luxurious and comfortable stay at retiring rooms and dormitories at Pune Railway Junction. 

The Indian Railways has instructed all zonal railways to expedite the process of handing over station retiring rooms and dormitories to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). 

The process has been pending for over two years. 

The commercial circular was issued on May 2. The Railway Board issued a letter to all railway zones, instructing them to expedite the process of signing agreements with IRCTC to hand over such facilities.

As per the officials of Pune Railway Division, “The IRCTC intends to upgrade the station retiring rooms to international standards in hospitality by providing facilities such as quality mattresses and linen, LED TV, almirah or locker for luggage, firefighting equipment, water, room heater, telephone and intercom.”

“The purpose of this facility is to provide reasonable safe transit accommodation to bona fide railway passengers, who can avail a retiring room for a maximum of 72 hours. IRCTC, which is the official e-ticketing and catering arm of Indian Railways will allow bookings in slots, ranging from 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours,” said the officer. 

The Indian Railways issued policy guidelines to all its zones for the implementation of the plan and for the takeover. The IRCTC was asked to prepare a phase-wise road map. Since then, such facilities have been handed over by the IRCTC at 32 railway stations.

The letter, issued by the Railway Board, also stated that those railway stations which are being redeveloped by the India Railway Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) will be excluded from the list of stations to be handed over to the IRCTC.