Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Sep 12: “Pod hotels and a luxurious executive lounge will be built for the passengers at the Udupi railway station of the Konkan railway,” said Santhosh Kumar Jha, Director Operations, of Konkan Railway on Tuesday, September 12 at the Udupi railway station.
He was speaking with media persons after inaugurating the newly renovated retiring rooms at the Udupi railway station.
Speaking about the pod hotels project, Santhosh Kumar Jha said, “Udupi is an education and a tourist hub and thousands of people arrive here. Pod hotel is a new concept and it is already functional in Indian railway stations such as Mumbai and Chennai. As the student population travel in large numbers here along with their parents, a pod hotel facility will be helpful. While the other hotels will have standard check-in and check-out time a pod hotel facility can be utilised for 6,12,18 or 24 hours based on passengers' requirements. There are few agencies providing such services. We have interacted with such agencies and have also checked the available space and other requirements for construction of a pod hotel facility at the Udupi railway station. Within the next three months we will float tenders for the project. This will help in accommodating around 2,000-3,000 square feet and will incur around Rs 35 to 40 lacs. We are planning to build around 40 to 60 pods and passengers are likely to be charged at around Rs 400 for 6 hours which is the norm elsewhere.”
Sharing details about the upcoming executive lounge facility at Udupi railway station, Santhosh Jha said, “We had first introduced an airport like executive lounge facility in Madgaon railway station of the Konkan railway. It is world class and passenger-friendly. On the same lines, an executive lounge will be constructed in Udupi too. I hope the tenders for this project too will be floated within the next three months. Executive lounge will be equipped with high cushioned sofas, television, armrest chairs, massage parlour, 24x7 information display, pantry and wi-fi. Currently, we are charging Rs 50 for two hours at the Madgaon station.”
He said, “There is a gap between production and demand of Vande Bharath trains. But we are hoping to get vande Bharath trains for Mangaluru-Madgaon route. Railways is involved in capital intensive projects. We have written to the ministry about the doubling of Konkan railway lines. This is under consideration. Electrification of Konkan railway has been completed and around 60-70% of the trains are running on electric locos. We are giving importance to warehouse facilities at the railway stations too. Udupi and Thokur have been given prominence in this matter. A new huge warehouse will be constructed here in the next three months,” he added.
Santhosh Jha also inaugurated the new retiring room facility on the occasion. B B Nikam Regional railway manager Konkan railways Karwar was also present on the occasion.