Srinagar: With an aim to boost tourism and provide a pleasant rural experience to the travellers, department of tourism will promote Kashmir’s first ever see-through air conditioned railway coach.
In this regard, Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah inspected the 40-seater coach at Railway Station Budgam.
The coach has large glass windows, glass roof, observation lounge and rotatable seats allowing passengers experience breathtakingly beautiful locations and sites en route 135 km rail track from Banihal to Baramulla.
The specially-designed Vistadome coach also has double wide reclining seats that can be rotated 360 degrees for better panoramic view of the sites. It also has glass-domed ceilings, automatic sliding doors, luggage rack, LED screens for movies, GPS based information system.
The seats are also attached with trays similar to the airplanes for having meals. Passengers can order light meals available on menu during the journey.
Initially one 40-seat coach has been attached to the train and others will be attached after it receives good response.
Director Tourism Kashmir said the department would promote the AC coach among the travellers who can enjoy the stunning locations along the route.
“Such coaches are available only at tourist locations where passengers want to enjoy sightseeing. We will involve local travel agents who can customize the packages for the travellers,” said Director Tourism.
He said the department will also make a drone video for its promotion.
“Currently, Kashmir is full of spring bloom of various flowers and blossoms of various fruit trees. The train passes through various mustard fields which is an attraction for travelers,” he said.
Bashir M Makroo Senior Section Engineer In-charge at Railway Budgam said they will soon start the AC coach and its booking can be done online at irctc.co.in.
“It is only at two places in India that these coaches are running and Kashmir will be now third place for such AC coach. We are expecting good response from tourists,” said Makroo.
