Railway Reopening of Retiring Rooms at Stations
- Ministry of Railways accords permission to Zonal Railways to decide on reopening of retiring rooms at Stations.
- They should keep in view local condition including Covid related protocols
- These convenience were discontinued post announcement of lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID 19
Ministry of Railways has accorded permission to Zonal Railways to decide on reopening of retiring rooms at Stations keeping in view local condition including Covid related protocols issued by Government. Railway Board has already permitted for restarting operation of Retiring Rooms, Rail Yatri Niwas and Hotels which are managed by IRCTC (Vide Railway Board Letter No. 2025 / Catering / 600 / 01 / Pt.2 dt. 19.10.2025).
At present, various special express / passenger trains services have been introduced in phased manner as per the requirement. Considering the convenience of passengers, Railways has decided to allow operation of retiring room at stations subject to fulfilment of protocols issued by the Government. These convenience were discontinued post announcement of lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Here’s the latest on the reopening and modernization of retiring rooms at Indian railway stations, especially in 2025:
Contents
🛏️ 1. Reopening of Retiring Rooms
- In early 2025, Indian Railways resumed operations of retiring rooms at about 60+ stations, restoring a vital rest facility for passengers with layovers or long connections
- Prior closures of retiring rooms during construction and pandemic-related disruptions had caused unavailability at several major stations like Mumbai Central, CSTM, Ahmedabad, NDLS, Bengaluru SBC, etc. Even high-demand stations had issues booking online until the facilities reopened
🌟 2. Current Status of Facilities
- Most reopened retiring rooms are now bookable online via IRCTC for confirmed passengers using a valid PNR
- Facilities now offer improved standards—clean bedding, attached bathrooms, ventilation, and basic furniture. A 12-hour slot may cost around ₹800–1200 at stations like Kota Junction
- Booking glitches remain sporadic at select stations where services might require offline booking or currently be suspended temporarily
🧳 3. User Feedback Highlights
- Positive experiences:
“Pretty good retiring rooms have been made available in all zonal railways. ₹800 for a 6‑hour slot.”
- Mixed or negative reviews:
“Why I’m not able to book retiring rooms at any Mumbai Station? Only pod stay at Bandra works.”
At NDLS, “retiring rooms are not available” leading to use of high-cost executive lounge (~₹3,500) as an alternative
📋 Quick Reference Table
| Station / Issue | Status |
|---|---|
| Reopened at 60+ stations | Bookable online via IRCTC |
| Station-specific issues | Some still require offline booking or unavailability (e.g. NDLS, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru) |
| Pricing | ₹800–1200 for typical 12‑hour booking |
| Amenities | Clean rooms, AC/fan, attached bathroom (varies by station) |
| Booking | Requires confirmed PNR; ID proof needed |
✅ Final Tips for Booking & Use
- Check IRCTC: Enter your PNR on the IRCTC retiring room booking page to see availability.
- Alternate options: If online booking fails, inquire at the PRS counter for offline check-in or consult nearby hotels.
- Carry valid ID: Must match passenger name in PNR—though some users report more flexible checks at smaller stations
- Check reviews: Look up station-specific feedback on cleanliness and service on forums like Reddit.
- Day-use options: At stations where retiring rooms are not available, consider waiting rooms or executive lounges (e.g. at NDLS).
Would you like help checking availability at a specific station or sample booking instructions for a station’s retiring rooms?