FROM PLATFORM WAITING TO POD-SIDE REST: MALDA TOWN STATION ADDS A NEW DIMENSION TO RAILWAY PASSENGER COMFORT
October 17, 2026
MALDA, OCTOBER 17, 2026: Eastern Railway has introduced a modern sleeping pod facility at Malda Town railway station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, offering passengers a dedicated space to rest while waiting for connecting trains. The facility became operational on October 14 and is expected to be particularly useful during the festive season, when passenger numbers rise and long waiting periods can make rail journeys more exhausting.
Launched through an initiative of the commercial department of the Malda railway division, the facility is located on the station’s first floor, directly above the ground-floor ticket counters. Malda Town is the second station in the division to introduce the service after Bhagalpur.
The facility comprises 15 double-level sleeping pod units, with a combined capacity to accommodate 30 people at a time. In addition, three separate rooms have been provided for passengers seeking greater privacy and personal space.
According to railway officials, the sleeping pods are fully air-conditioned and equipped with comfortable bedding, privacy curtains, individual LED reading lights and mobile charging ports. High-speed Wi-Fi connectivity and secure luggage lockers are also available, allowing passengers to rest while keeping their belongings secured.
Safety and hygiene have been incorporated into the facility’s arrangements. CCTV surveillance, fire extinguishers and other fire safety measures have been installed in the area, while the railway authorities have emphasised the importance of maintaining a clean environment for users.
Malda divisional railway manager Manish Kumar Gupta said the facility would be particularly beneficial for transit passengers and those waiting for connecting trains. The provision of short-stay accommodation within the station premises is intended to make journeys more comfortable by giving passengers an alternative to remaining seated in crowded waiting areas for extended periods.
Senior divisional commercial manager Kartik Singh said the combination of basic sleeping amenities, connectivity and safety arrangements would help meet the needs of passengers during their waiting periods.
The facility is expected to serve travellers during the Durga Puja holidays and other periods of heavy passenger movement. It may also benefit people visiting Malda for official or personal work who need a place to relax before continuing their journeys.
The introduction of sleeping pods represents an additional passenger amenity under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which seeks to improve railway station infrastructure and the travel experience. At Malda Town, the new arrangement focuses on a practical problem faced by many rail passengers: finding a comfortable place to rest without leaving the station during a lengthy gap between trains.
With its dedicated sleeping units, private rooms and supporting amenities, the facility adds a new short-stay option for passengers passing through one of the region’s important railway stations.
