Mangaluru  :  Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel flagged off the inaugural run of the Vistadome coach services at Mangaluru Junction, on Sunday July 11.

Speaking after inauguration Kateel thanked Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway officials for introducing the coaches for the first time in the Southern Zone (comprising of Southern, South Western, South Central and Konkan Railways).

He said the Vistadome coaches are an excellent opportunity for locals to explore their own enchanting backyard.

Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Premanand Shetty, Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, DK Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V, Corporators Sudheer Kannur, Shobha among others were also present.

The Ministry of Railways has allocated Vistadome coaches in the day time train services operated between Mangaluru Jn and Yesvantpur to explore the tourism potential in this sector. Vistadome coaches are being introduced for the first time in Southern Zone (Southern Railway, South Western Railway, South Central Railway and Konkan Railway).

About the Sector:
Two Vistadome coaches will be augmented in the day time express trains operated daily from either terminals, i.e., Mangaluru Junction and Yesvantpur from 11/07/2021 onwards. This train traverses through the enchanting Western Ghats, specifically Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road Ghat section. The section is scenic, offers breath-taking glimpses of the lofty mountains, extensive grassy valleys, deep gorges and lush greenery. The region blooms in monsoon with even more scenic beauty. Apart from the picturesque views of natural landscapes, Subrahmanya is known for its world famous Kukke Subrahmanya Temple. It is hoped that nature-lovers, temple-pilgrims, as well as regular commuters between the two major cities viz Bengaluru & Mangaluru, would patronise these coaches. Railways hope to tap this tourism potential of the sector.

About the coaches:
Each vistadome coach has a seating capacity of 44, with seats rotatable up to 180 degrees. Wide, large windows offers clear close up view for the passengers. The Vistadome coaches, manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, on the LHB (Linke-Hoffman-Busch platform/technology), have glass rooftops with anti-glare screens.

The coach is equipped with fire safety systems, LED display, oven & refrigerator, mini pantry, multi-tiered steel luggage shelves. The seats have foldable snack tables, similar to those in aircrafts. The coaches are also equipped with GPS based public- address system & Braille signage to assist ‘Divyang’ (visually challenged) passengers. A lounge like space is also provided at the far end of the coach with a large viewing window.

The features of vistadome coach are listed below:
• Bogies with Air-Spring suspension in secondary stage for better ride comfort
• Large glass windows and glass roof that boast electrically controlled opalescence
• Transparent roof for the passengers to get a panoramic view of their journey
• Observatory lounge with larger window at one end
• Ergonomically designed ritzy reclining seats rotatable up to 180 degrees that makes the passengers to enjoy the mixture of spectacular scenic views along the journey from all directions
• Charging socket provided for each passenger below the seat arm rest
• Entertainment system integrated with Digital display screens and speakers for music lovers
• “Content on Demand” Wi-fi facility provided on personal gadgets of passengers
• Wider entrance doors for Divyangajan passengers with wheelchairs
• Automatic sliding doors at the compartment’s entry on both sides.

The plethora of other features include :-
• GPS based Public address cum Passenger Information system (PAPIS)
• Sunk-in type LED destination board
• Stainless Steel multi-tier luggage racks outside the passenger area
• Mini pantry to provide refreshments for the passengers
• Service area consisting of Hot case, Microwave Oven, Coffee Maker, Bottle Cooler, Refrigerator and wash basin
• CCTV system for on board surveillance
• Aesthetically designed Coach interiors and FRP panelling
• FRP modular toilets with pressurized flushing system and bio tanks
• Aspiration type automatic Fire detection with alarm system for safe travel
Fare in Vistadome coach will be the same as that for Executive class of Shatabdi. Advance Reservation to the coaches has already commenced.

About the services:
The details of service offered by day time express trains augmented with vistadome coaches are –

Day Train From Starting time To Arriving Time
Sunday 06540 Mangaluru Jn 09.15 Yesvantpur 20.05

Sunday 06575 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00

Monday 06576 Mangaluru Jn 11.30 Yesvantpur 20.20

Monday 06211 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00

Tuesday 06212 Mangaluru Jn 11.30 Yesvantpur 20.20

Tuesday 06575 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00

Wednesday 06576 Mangaluru Jn 11.30 Yesvantpur 20.20

Wednesday 06211 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00

Thursday 06212 Mangaluru Jn 11.30 Yesvantpur 20.20

Thursday 06575 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00

Friday 06576 Mangaluru Jn 11.30 Yesvantpur 20.20

Friday 06211 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00

Saturday 06212 Mangaluru Jn 11.30 Yesvantpur 20.20

Saturday 06539 Yesvantpur 07.00 Mangaluru Jn 17.00