TBM Staff - Mumbai In an attempt to boost the tourism sector, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is planning to introduce a Vistadome service between Assam and Meghalaya, reports India Today. Vistadome train coaches are designed to make the travel experience pleasant and to provide an enhanced viewing experience of their surroundings for the passengers.
Local media reports suggest that Railways have proposed the introduction of the brand new inter-state Vistadome services between Guwahati to Mendipathar in Meghalaya. The decision was reportedly taken after a meeting between district administrations of North Garo Hills of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare took place to discuss the financial development of the region.
According to reports, coaches would have a Wi-Fi based passenger system and would be built on the Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) platform to ensure more safety. The Vistadome coaches would be equipped with air-spring suspension in the secondary stage for better rides, large glass windows, a transparent roof for passengers to get a panoramic view of the journey.
A mobile charging socket would also be provided for each passenger below the seat armset. Passengers can also use an entertainment system with digital display screens and speakers for music lovers.
The reports suggest that there would be ‘Content on Demand’ Wi-Fi facility for passengers that can be used on personal gadgets. Persons with disabilities would be able to use wider entrance doors and automatic sliding doors on both the sides of the compartment, the Shillong Times said in a report.
The coaches would be equipped with a GPS-based Public Address-cum-Passenger Information System (PAPIS), multi-tier luggage racks outside the passenger area and a mini pantry to provide snacks and refreshments for the passengers.
There would be a CCTV system for onboard surveillance, FRP Modular toilets and also bio tanks for automatic fire detection with an alarm system for safe travel.
Notably, the Railways has already introduced the Vistadome train service between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The trains run between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh for five days a week.
The NFR is also planning to open a vegetable and fruit outlet named Naharlagun Station in Arunachal Pradesh to promote the local farm produce.
