Jammu, February 10 Northern Railway announced on Tuesday the extension of the Vistadome train service from Srinagar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, aimed at enhancing the travel experience for tourists and local commuters along the scenic Katra-Baramulla route.
Launched in October 2023, the Vistadome train service in Kashmir features specialized coaches with 360-degree rotating seats, large glass windows, and glass roofs for a panoramic view of the Valley.
The move by the Jammu Division of Northern Railway is expected to provide passengers with panoramic views of key engineering marvels on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), including the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
"Passenger facilities are being continuously expanded in the Jammu Division. From February 11, a special train, which previously operated between Budgam and Banihal, will be extended up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra," said a public relations inspector (PRI) of the Jammu Division.
In a significant addition to the Valley's tourism infrastructure, a Vistadome coach has been attached to the special train to offer passengers an enhanced travel experience with a glass roof and large panoramic windows, the PRI said.
Railway officials said the Vistadome coach provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding natural landscape, including mountains, rivers, and tunnels, making the journey more attractive for visitors.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, said the initiative is expected to promote tourism and provide passengers with a comfortable and memorable experience.
"This is a pioneering passenger amenity, offering a view of the sky through a glass roof and unobstructed views of natural beauty through large windows, making the journey exciting," Singhal said.
The USBRL project, connecting Katra with Baramulla, is considered a major engineering feat designed to link Kashmir with the rest of the country through rail connectivity across the challenging Himalayan terrain.
The project includes several key infrastructural landmarks, including the Chenab bridge in Reasi district, which stands at 359 meters above the riverbed, making it the world's highest railway arch bridge.
Another highlight is the Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, spanning the Anji River in Reasi district with 96 high-tensile cables.
The project also features the T-49 tunnel between Khari and Sumber, the country's longest transportation tunnel at 12.77 km, besides 38 tunnels covering 119 km and 927 bridges spanning about 13 km.
