Vistadome coaches in Lumding - Badarpur railway route; Finally some progress

On January 8, 2019, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, during a review meeting at Guwahati, issued instructions to the NF Railways to introduce Vistadome coaches in trains of this zone, running in routes having scenic beauty.

At that time, Railways proposed to introduce this service at Lumding – Badarpur hill section, Kumarghat – Agartala hill section, certain sections of upper Assam and Dooars portion of North Bengal as the routes are filled with breathtaking scenarios.

But from then to now, the proposal got stuck in different departmental red tapes and could not make any advancement. Finally, a lead was witnessed yesterday as NF Railway has written to Deputy Director of Assam Tourism, Haflong, requesting the department’s view on the proposal to introduce Vistadome coaches.

“It is to bring to your notice that Division proposes to run Vistadome Coach to promote tourism over hill section… in view of the above, it is requested to offer your views of Vista Dome Coach to promote tourism over the hill section,” the letter mentioned.

The letter comes just a day ahead of NF Railway General Manager’s Haflong visit which is slated on December 22 to inspect different heritage conservation possibilities on the hill section.

For those who are unaware, Vistadome coaches are designed to let the passengers enjoy the beautiful sceneries through an all-glass roof. These coaches are designed to let passengers enjoy nature in its full glory.

It has become immensely popular amongst tourists as it lets passengers enjoy the aesthetic landscape with better vision through the glass top ceiling of the coaches.

It may be mentioned that Northeast Frontier Railways has already introduced a Vistadome coach in the UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.