BENGALURU: The southern railways will soon introduce luxury vistadome (glass-top) coaches for encouraging tourism on trains plying on major tourist routes in southern states. The railways’ tourism and catering directorate directed Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to identify potential routes for operating these vistadome coaches.
“IRCTC, after considering the scenic beauty and potential tourist flow, has identified routes across various railway zones,” said an official from the railway board to all zones.
In Southern Western Railway (SWR) zone, IRCTC has identified several routes including Bengaluru-Karwar, Bengaluru-Shivamogga via Kadur, Bengaluru-Goa, Bengaluru-Mangaluru, Mangaluru-Goa via Udipi, Bengaluru-Hampi and Bengaluru-Mysuru.
Vistadome coaches will be attached to the existing trains. These trains will have 40 recliner chairs which can rotate 360 degrees, a glass rooftop, GPS based infotainment system and other luxurious facilities.
E Vijaya, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), said that they will conduct a feasibility study to introduce vistadome coaches in the existing trains.