Vistadome coach service extended up to Katra, to offer panoramic view of Kashmir Valley

The Northern Railway on Tuesday announced the extension of the train service with the panoramic Vistadome coach to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra from Srinagar, aimed at enhancing travel experience for the tourists and local commuters along the scenic Katra-Baramulla route.

Launched in October 2023, the Vistadome train service in Kashmir features specialised 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 the Northern Railway is expected to provide the passengers panoramic 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.

In a significant addition to the tourism infrastructure of the Valley, 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 the visitors.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, said the initiative is expected to promote tourism and provide the 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 metres 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.

Budgam-Banihal special train to also run till Katra

The Northern Railway on Monday extended the service of Budgam-Banihal special train to Katra with effect from February 11. The service of special train numbers 04688 and 04687, earlier operating between Budgam and Banihal, has been extended up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Division, Raghvender Singh said in a statement.

He said the extension has been undertaken with the objective of making travel more convenient and comfortable for passengers and strengthening rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.

On February 3, the chief minister while welcoming rail connectivity between the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir had said the frequency of the trains and the number of coaches needed to be increased.

The special train number 04688 will continue to operate between Budgam and Banihal as per the existing schedule, with no change in timings or stoppages. From Banihal, the train will depart at 10:10 am and arrive at Katra station at 1 pm on February 11, halting at Khari, Sumber, Sangaldan, Sawalkot, Dugga, Bakkal and Reasi stations en route.

On the return journey, the special train number 04687 will depart Katra station at 1:45 pm and reach Banihal at 5:30 pm. The onward run from Banihal to Budgam will continue as per the existing schedule, with stoppages between Katra and Banihal remaining unchanged, the statement said.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, said the main objective is to facilitate the movement of local people and tourists from Budgam to Katra, and to improve connectivity to Kashmir.

“Passengers are requested to obtain accurate train information from the official website, by dialling 139, or through NTES before commencing their journey,” he said.