Indian railways held trail run of Vistadome coaches in Banihal-Baramulla sections

The trial run of much-awaited glass-roofed Vistadome air-conditioned coaches was finally held in Banihal-Baramulla section on August 31. The Vistadome coaches apart from the sunroof and larger windowpanes features like LED lights, rotatable seats and GPS-based information system.

Srinagar: The trial run of much-awaited glass-roofed Vistadome air-conditioned coaches was finally held in Banihal-Baramulla sections, officials said on Wednesday.

A transit of Vistadome from Budgam to Banihal was held on August 31, while the transit from Badgam to Baramulla was held on September 1, a senior official said.

In a bid order to make train journey in Kashmir fun-filled and comfortable, Northern Railways in 2018 introduced the first Air-Conditioned train fitted with a glass-rooftop and bigger windowpanes for sightseeing.

However, the full-fledged operation of the special coach was not possible, first due to the abrogation of Article 370 last year and later because of the pandemic.

The Vistadome coaches apart from the sunroof and larger windowpanes features like LED lights, rotatable seats and GPS-based information system.

Meanwhile, the documentary shooting of the 78 km Banihal-Srinagar rail link was held on Wednesday while the documentary shoot of the 59-km Srinagar- Baramulla rail link will be held on Thursday.

The announcement of this special train was made during the Union Budget of 2017 for several states including Jammu and Kashmir.

Railway authorities had last year written to various law enforcing agencies asking for their clearance to run this special train.

The railways had sought permission from Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) for starting operations of this special train.