Train with European-style luxury coach to run daily

The train departs in the morning from New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and reaches Alipurduar Junction in the afternoon

File picture of the interiors of the vistadome coach which offers passengers a stunning view of the scenery during the ride.

TT Correspondent   |   Alipurduar   |  15.11.21: Demand for tickets to the vistadome coach on the train along the Dooars between New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Junction has made authorities of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) decide to run the train every day and add one more vistadome coach to it.

So far, the service was available for three days in a week. From November 22, the the train, named Vistadome Tourist Express, will run daily.

The train departs in the morning from New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and reaches Alipurduar Junction in the afternoon. It departs from there after an hour or so and arrives at NJP in the evening.

“The demand for tickets is steady which indicates that the ride is gaining popularity among tourists. That is why it has been decided that from November 22, the train will run between NJP and Alipurduar Junction every day,” said Dilip Kumar Singh, the divisional railway manager of the Alipurduar division of NFR.

“Also, one more vistadome coach will be added to the train,”he added.

There are 42 seats in each  vistadome coach, NFR sources said. 

The decision to increase the frequency of the train has been welcomed by tourism stakeholders in the Dooars. 

“It is a major development and we feel this train service will increase the inflow of tourists across the Dooars, especially in eastern Dooars as people can enjoy the beauty of the route dotted with tea estates, rivers, hillocks and stretches of forests. We thank the railways for making it a daily service,” said Biswajit Saha, secretary, Madarihat Lodge Owners’ Association.

From August 28, NFR had introduced the vistadome service on the route. Along with the vistadome coach, two other second class chair car coaches were attached in the train that moves through the pristine beauty of the Dooars.

At the stations, various arrangements were made for the entertainment of passengers. While there are selfie zones in some stations, in other places they can sip tea and enjoy the performances of dance troupes.

(https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/train-with-vistadome-coach-to-run-daily/cid/1838966)