Ranchi Railway Station will become more welcoming for weary and worn-out passengers as their wish to unwind and rejuvenate after a long journey will be fulfilled at the station without burning a hole in their pocket. The capital’s main Railway station would be ready with a dormitory to provide lodging facility to passengers making a round trip to their destination anywhere in the country from Ranchi.

The dormitory is being constructed at platform number-1 at Ranchi Railway station and the project is in the final stage. Although lodging charges have not been fixed officials say it would be within a passenger’s reach.

“It is about 70-80 per cent complete and would be opened for passengers very soon. The rate has not been fixed and being a policy matter it has its own procedure. However it would be nominal,” said Station Manager of Ranchi Railway Station, HK Pandey.

The dormitory includes 16-rooms, wardrobe and other accessories to match comfort enjoyed at home by commuters.

All the 16 rooms would be fully air-conditioned, single bed with dressing table. The dormitory would operate on the principle usually practiced by Indian Railways for their lodging facility—passengers possessing confirmed return ticket would be entitled to the benefit. Advance booking is the option available to a passenger to book their reservation for a cabin.

“They (passengers) can book rooms 15 days in advance and they need to book it according to their itinerary. Check-in time is 24-hours and it cannot be extended if not booked in advance,” added he.

The dormitory would add to around 24-25 rooms currently being used by Ranchi Railway authorities to provide temporary accommodation to travelers under the name ‘Yatri Niwas’ at the main station under Ranchi Division of South Eastern Railway. Expansion of lodging facility had become a necessity of the hour as the Ranchi Railway Station expanded from two platforms to six platforms and over its history the station become a busy station of the South Eastern Railway as footfalls run into thousands each day.

As many as 37 trains halt at the station whereas the number of originating and terminating trains has swelled to 27 even as demand for new trains are being pressed by the State government, people’s representatives and passenger association of Jharkhand. The facelift is a part of renovation and the ongoing expansion work.