This month, the Central Railway will launch pod hotel services at Mumbai's CSMT station

The historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai is being transformed into a pod hotel, which is expected to open to the public later this month, according to Central Railway (CR) officials.

This pod hotel, also known as a capsule hotel, would be the Indian Railways' second such facility in the city.

Previously, on November 17, 2021, a passenger pod hotel opened at the Western Railway's Mumbai Central station (WR).

The pod hotel, which will have a capacity of 50 people, is under construction near the CSMT's main line (outstation railway terminus), officials announced on Wednesday.

There will be four family pods with a capacity of two persons, as well as 30 single pods in this hotel. The facility will also include a luggage room for passengers, in addition to separate washrooms and shower rooms for men and women. The contract for the development and operation of the sleeping pods has been awarded to Namah Enterprises, which will pay the railways licence fees of Rs 10, 07,786 per annum, according to Shivaji Sutar, the CR's chief public relations officer.

"Railways would earn Rs 55.68 lakh," Sutar said, adding that the licensee will create pods for incoming and outgoing passengers on 131.61 square metres at the CSMT, complete with all modern amenities for a comfortable stay. The pod hotel is nearing completion, and it is expected to open to passengers later this month, according to him.

In November of last year, Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Danve inaugurated India's first pod hotel at the Mumbai Central railway station. It contains 48 capsule-like cabins, including conventional pods, private pods, separate pods for women, and pods for people with disabilities. CSMT is one of the country's busiest railway stations, with thousands of passengers using suburban and outstation train services on a daily basis.