Enhanced Train Service with Vistadome Coach to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra

The Northern Railway recently announced the extension of the train service with the panoramic Vistadome coach to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra from Srinagar. This move is aimed at enhancing the travel experience for both tourists and local commuters along the picturesque Katra-Baramulla route.

Introduced in October 2023, the Vistadome train service in Kashmir offers specialized coaches equipped with 360-degree rotating seats, large glass windows, and glass roofs, providing passengers with a panoramic view of the Valley.

The Jammu Division of the Northern Railway’s decision to extend the Vistadome service is set to offer passengers breathtaking views of the 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.

Starting from February 11, a special train that previously operated between Budgam and Banihal will now be extended up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, as confirmed by a public relations inspector (PRI) of the Jammu Division.

In a significant development for the tourism infrastructure in the Valley, a Vistadome coach has been added to the special train to offer passengers an upgraded travel experience with a glass roof and large panoramic windows.

Railway officials highlighted that the Vistadome coach provides passengers with a 360-degree view of the surrounding natural landscape, showcasing mountains, rivers, and tunnels, thereby making the journey more appealing to visitors.

Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, expressed optimism that this initiative will boost tourism and ensure passengers have a comfortable and memorable experience. Singhal emphasized that the Vistadome coach, with its glass roof and expansive windows, enhances the journey by offering unobstructed views of the natural beauty along the route.

The USBRL project, connecting Katra with Baramulla, is a significant engineering achievement aimed at linking Kashmir with the rest of the country through rail connectivity across the challenging Himalayan terrain.

Key infrastructural landmarks of the project include the Chenab bridge in Reasi district, standing at 359 meters above the riverbed, making it the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Additionally, the Anji Khad bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, spans the Anji River in Reasi district with 96 high-tensile cables.

The project also encompasses the T-49 tunnel between Khari and Sumber, the longest transportation tunnel in the country at 12.77 km, along with 38 tunnels covering 119 km and 927 bridges spanning approximately 13 km.