IRCTC to upgrade running rooms in key stations

IRCTC (Indian railway catering and tourism corporation) would soon partner with private hoteliers to provide luxurious and economic lodging facilities at less than the market price. IRCTC has proposed to upgrade running rooms attached to major railway stations in the state. 

Initially, the subsidiary of Indian Railway has proposed to take over running rooms attached to Chennai Central, Madurai and Tiruchy junctions. Senior IRCTC officers revealed that they had held detailed consultations with private hoteliers. 

“We are in the process of empanelling hotels. As of now, a leading player in hotel business from Madurai has empanelled. We are planning to enlist a few more before formalising the partnership with private players,” said a senior IRCTC officer requesting anonymity. 

IRCTC has proposed to hand over refurbishment, operation and maintenance of the running rooms to the private players, whose job would be to make a complete turnaround and optimise quality and occupancy of running rooms, which are one of the least sought after lodging facilities in the state. 

Even railway insiders admit that their running rooms were so unpopular that many travellers were unaware of their presence in major stations. IRCTC managers are confident of starting the project in a few months. 

However, it is unsure if the project would be BOOT (Build, own, operate and transfer) or mere knowledge transfer from private hoteliers to IRCTC planners. Details of the project would be out in a few weeks. 

“Our priority now is to empanel as many hoteliers as possible so that we would have variety in the business plans. Later, we would finalize the business plan which best addresses railways interest,” the officer explained.