Jammu and Kashmir's first Vistadome train service launched

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 01-03-2024

Jammu and Kashmir's first Vistadome train service launched

Tourism 4 min read

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav launched the much-awaited Vistadome train service in Kashmir on 19 October 2023. This facility was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from Srinagar Railway Station.

Later, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first Vistadome coach train from Budgam to Banihal.
Apart from the Railway Minister, the Chief Ministers of Assam and Tripura also participated in this program through video conferencing.
Under this project, Indian Railways is running a train with air-conditioned Vistadome coaches from Budgam railway station in Central Kashmir to Banihal in Ramban district in Jammu division.

The distance between the two railway stations is 90 kilometers:

This train will pass through the beautiful valleys of Kashmir. The trials of this train equipped with special facilities have been successfully completed two months ago.
Seeing the immense potential of tourism, the then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had announced plans to run Vistadome train in Kashmir in the year 2017.

The trial took place in 2018:

It was also tested in the beginning of the year 2018, but due to security reasons its operation was not allowed. After this, in the year 2020 also it was run two to three times as a trial. Two months ago also it was tested on the Budgam-Srinagar-Banihal railway section.
After this it was also run in Budgam-Baramulla section. After the approval of all the security agencies and railway administration, it was now dedicated to the common people.

Extension to Baramulla in the second phase:

In the first phase of Vistadome, Vistadome service will be available from Banihal to Budgam. It is expected that the tourists coming here will like this service very much.
In the next phase this service will be extended from Banihal to Baramulla. During this period, more Vistadome coaches will be added to this train.

Features of Vistadome Train:

Train with Vistadome coach will run from Budgam to Banihal every day at 9:30 am. In return, it will leave from Banihal railway station at 5:30 pm.
Srinagar, Awantipora, Anantnag and Qazigund are important stops on the route of this train. Presently, this train will make one trip daily.

Vistadome Train:

Vistadome is a 40 seater fully AC coach. It has features like large transparent glass windows, LED lights, 360-degree rotating seats and an inbuilt GPS-based information system.
During the journey, passengers will be able to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir Valley through glass windows and roof.
This coach also has automatic doors and CCTV cameras. Passengers can also make pre-booking for refreshments during the journey.