Kolkata: Indian Railway introduced Vista Dome trains with the intention of promoting tourism. 2017 was the initial year when the coaches were introduced on Jan-Shatabdi express on the Mumbai-Goa route for giving the passengers the blissful view of the ‘Western Ghats.’
The Vista Dome trains are the ones equipped with a display screen for passenger entertainment, automatic sliding doors, and WiFi. It has a glass roof that will provide a 360 degrees view of the open sky, greenery, bridge, hills, and mountains to the tourists.
Indian Railways is all set to begin operations of Vista Dome Tourist Special between New Jalpaiguri – Alipurduar Junction –New Jalpaiguri with effect from 28 August 2021 (Saturday). The Vista Dome Tourist Special train service will be operated with revised timings and it is supposed to give the passengers a view of the sub-Himalayan.
According to the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, Train Number 05777/05778 New Jalpaiguri – Alipurduar Junction Vista Dome Special consists of seven coaches in total including two Power cum Luggage Van, two AC Chair Car coaches, two Chair Car coaches and one Vista Dome coach.
Both the up and down trains will be running on the track thrice a week - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Train Number 05777 New Jalpaiguri – Alipurduar Junction Tourist Special will depart from New Jalpaiguri railway station at 7:20 AM, halt at Siliguri Junction at 7:38 AM, halt at Sivok station at 8:28 AM, New Mal Junction at 9:10 AM, Chalsa station at 9:25 AM, Madarihat station at 11:12 AM, Hasimara station at 11:30 AM, Raja Bhatkhowa station at 12:00 PM and arrive at Alipurduar Junction railway station at 1:00 P.M.
Coming to Train Number 05778 Alipurduar Junction- New Jalpaiguri Tourist Special is set to from Alipurduar Junction railway station at 2:00 PM, halt at Raja Bhatkhowa station at 2:20 PM, halt at Hasimara station at 2:55 PM, Madarihat station at 3:30 PM, Chalsa station at 4:50 PM, New Mal Junction at 5:15 PM, Sivok station at 5:48 PM, Siliguri Junction railway station at 6:35 PM and arrive at New Jalpaiguri railway station at 7:00 PM.
The fare for the journey by the Vistadome New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Alipurduar Junction will be around Rs.900 for one way. And, the fare for the AC chair car and non-AC chair car would be Rs.410 and Rs.85. The tickets through PRS or IRCTC web portal.