Sinha, Vaishnaw launch Vistadome train services in Kashmir
J&K changed lot in 9 years: Union Railway Minister
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday 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 Lt Governor flagged off the first Vistadome coach train to Banihal from Srinagar Station.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister 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 Lt Governor congratulated the people of the UT 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 Lt Governor said.
He also expressed gratitude to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways for elevating the travel experience of people and tourists.
The Lt Governor said the Vistadome services will have a profound impact on tourism and contribute to the economic growth and cultural enrichment of the region.
It is a big leap by Railways in the development of the Union Territory. The state of the art Vistadome will attract tourists in large number and open up more livelihood generation avenues for the people living in the cities, towns and villages connected to all the railway stations enroute, he added.
At the launch ceremony, the Lt Governor also shared the transformational journey of Jammu Kashmir over the past few years.
He said that there has been a substantial boost in tourism in recent times and the new Vistadome coach will further give impetus to the development of the area.
The specially designed Vistadome coach is equipped with wide windows, revolving chairs and glass rooftop, offering the passengers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor, SMC; Dr Farooq Abdullah, Member of Parliament; Aftab Malik, Chairman, DDC Srinagar; senior officials of Northern Railways, Civil and Police Administration and people in large numbers attended the launch ceremony.
The foreign tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir have increased by 350 per cent this year post the G20 meeting held here in May, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said here on Thursday.
Addressing a function after inaugurating the Vistadome rail coach at Nowgam railway station here, Sinha also said 1.70 crore tourists have visited J-K so far this year.
“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 per cent 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.