Assam: Vistadome train service from today to boost tourism 

GUWAHATI-  In order to promote tourism and cultural heritage of the Northeast and North Bengal areas; two Vista dome Tourist special train services were flagged off today.

The special Vistadome train service between Guwahati – New Haflong was flagged off at Guwahati by Bimal Bora, Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Cultural Affairs, Power and Tourism, Govt of Assam in presence of Smt. Queen Oja, MP Loksabha from Guwahati, Debolal Gorlosa, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the N.C. Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).  Anshul Gupta, General Manager, N.F. Railway and other senior officials along with the Commissioner & Secretary and Director of the Tourism Department of the Govt. of Assam were also present.

In these, air-conditioned, chair car fitted, tourist special coaches will have glass roofs and large windows aimed at providing passengers with a 360° view of the natural vista that they will be passing through. This is a first in the Northeast.

Northeast Frontier (NF) Railways will run the coaches from Guwahati to the scenic Dima Hasao district with tickets priced at Rs 1,150 each.  The coaches will be wi-fi enabled, will have observation lounges, rotational seats and a digital entertainment system.

CCTV cameras have been fitted along with fire alarms for passenger safety.

The special Vistadome train service between Guwahati – New Haflong section will initially run two days a week – on every Wednesday and Saturday with stoppages at Manderdisa and Maibong stations. The train will depart from Guwahati at 6-35 hours to reach New Haflong at 11-55 hours covering a distance of 269 kms through the North Cachar Hill region. During return journey, the train will leave New Haflong at 17-00 hours to reach Guwahati at 22-45 hours.

Aside from this route in Assam, the NF Railway has also started from today a similar coach for tourists through the tea-garden lined New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar junction in North Bengal.