Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, today launched the much-awaited Vistadome train services in Kashmir.
Union Minister and Chief Ministers of Assam and Tripura had joined the ceremony through video-conferencing. Later, the LG flagged off the first Vistadome coach train to Banihal from Srinagar station, an official press release informed.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the last nine years, Jammu & Kashmir has changed a lot and the change is discernible on the ground.
“After abrogation of Article 370, development of Jammu and Kashmir is pacing fast. Recently, meetings of G20 were held in the UT. In Railways also, various development projects have been ongoing in Jammu Kashmir and the development work has been completed on Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, tunnels have been completed except on some portion,” he said.
In his address, the LG congratulated the people of J&K on the “momentous occasion”.
“We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing Vistadome train services in the Kashmir Valley. Vistadome is a symbol that facilities available in developed countries are now accessible to people of J&K,” the LG said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for Railways for elevating the travel experience of people and tourists.
The foreign tourist arrivals here have increased by 350 percent this year post the G20 meeting held here in May, the LG said.
“Srinagar hosted the G20 meeting (the third tourism working group meeting of the G20 member countries) and post that, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in J&K has gone up by 350 percent from the last year,” the LG said.
He said last year J&K witnessed a record 1.88 crore tourist arrivals, but this year, 1.70 crore tourists have already visited J&K till September this year.
Sinha said the Vistadome coach on the train will boost tourism in J&K.
“It will not only ferry travellers from Budgam to Banihal, but also provide livelihood opportunities to the youth at Budgam, Qazigund, and Banihal stations. The coach will help tourists see Kashmir’s beauty with a new perspective,” he added.
He said the introduction of the Vistadome coach is another step towards J&K’s developmental journey.
The state-of-the-art Vistadome coach, which has advanced features of entertainment and sitting, will chug from Budgam to Banihal.
The coach has rotational seats, transparent glass roof, and windows, offering 360-degree views.
Giving details about the coach, chief area manager, Srinagar, Northern Railway, Saqib Yusuf said it is going to be a major tourist attraction for people visiting the valley.
“It is a glass-top coach with wide windows, rotating chairs, so that the passengers can enjoy the Kashmir valley’s panoramic look especially in the coming winter season. It is expected to give a major boost to tourism in the Kashmir valley. It will run from Budgam to Banihal in the morning, and in the evening, it will run from Banihal to Budgam. It will run six days a week,” Yusuf said.
Dr Farooq Abdullah, Member of Parliament; Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor, SMC; Aftab Malik, Chairman, DDC Srinagar; senior officials of Northern Railways, civil and police administration and people in large numbers attended the launch ceremony
