Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal wants to make trains the engine of tourism growth in Goa and has asked Railways to install more Vistadome coaches in several trains running on the Goa route. These coaches have large windows on the sides and glass panels on the roof. Right now, the Tejas Express on Karmali route has this facility.
"Enabling the passengers to enjoy the scenic journey along the Konkan route in Goa, Railways has installed Vistadome coaches in the train," Piyush Goyal tweeted." It's a scenic journey. Every train that comes to Goa will have one or two Vistadome coaches so that the tourist can enjoy the monsoon, the rains, and the green flora and fauna," Goyal further said.
He also tweeted a video in which he is talking about the electrification on these routes. "Electrifying the entire tracks, so that pollution is not caused by the trains on this route and all the trains coming on this route will be run on electric traction, there will be no diesel," Piyush Goyal further said.
Speaking at 'Vibrant Goa', an investment conclave on Saturday, Goyal also said that he was keen on expanding rail infrastructure in the coastal state, whose hilly terrain and densely populated coastal areas have rendered railway expansion projects, including track doubling, difficult in the past, IANS reported.
"Going forward, I would want more and more trains to come to Goa... Bringing tourists to the state from all parts of the country," IANS reported Goyal as saying.
Here are few thing to know about see-through vistadome coaches:
1) Vistadome coaches have been designed to provide panoramic view to passengers, while enhancing their travelling comfort.
2) These coaches have large windows on the sides and glass panels on the roof.
3) The specially-designed Vistadome coach also has rotatable seats for better panoramic view of surroundings.
4) It also has automatic sliding doors, luggage racks, LED screens for entertainment and a GPS-enabled information system.
5)The seats are also attached with trays similar to those in airplanes for having meals.
According to a PTI report, presently some Vistdome coaches that are in service are—four in Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, two in Kalka-Shimla Railway, one in Kangra Valley Railway and one in Matheran Hill Railway.