Barak Valley deprived again; Vista Dome to run between New Haflong and Guwahati instead of Lumding – Badarpur

Big blow for Barak Valley as the North East Frontier Railways has decided to run the Vistadome coach between Guwahati to New Haflong station. In an internal communication of Railways, written by Dy COM, RN Ranmung to the New Haflong – Guwahati section, the official urged to be ready to operate vista dome coaches between Guwahati to New Haflong Railway Station. “The Division is hereby advised to be in readiness for the introduction of the service at short notice,” reads the letter.

It reveals that on July 22, the NF Railways proposed to operate Vista Dome coaches between New Haflong Railway Station and Guwahati, which the Railways have approved on July 30. Senior Officers in NF Railways confirmed the development to Barak Bulletin and the publication has gained access to a copy of the letter/order written by R.N Ranmung, Dy COM.,

This brings a big blow to the long-lasting hope for Barak Valley. Vista Dome coaches in the Northeast were announced by the Former Railway Minister of India, Piyush Goyal. In 2018, Piyush Goyal attended a review meeting in Guwahati with Railway officials. In that meeting, he directed the Railway authorities for arranging Vista Dome coaches for the Lumding-Badarpur section along with other tourist routes in the Northeast.

For the freshers, Vista Dome coaches are designed with glass roofs and larger windows to let the passengers enjoy the beautiful sceneries. These coaches are designed to let passengers enjoy nature in its full glory. The Pune-Mumbai Deccan Queen train recently operated with Vista Dome coaches and the passengers enjoyed the natural beauty that Khandala, Lonavala offers. When Piyush Goyal tweeted a video of the Deccan Queen train, the NF Railways retweeted it mentioning that soon, Vista Dome coaches will run in the Lumding – Badarpur section along with others. Six Vista Dome coaches have been allotted to NF Railways and two for the Silchar – Guwahati section.

The letter written by Ranmung states that the competent authority has approved the proposal to run Vista Dome coaches between Guwahati and New Haflong. “The proposed tri-weekly service will initially run as weekly service (Saturday only) with strict monitoring on patronisation/occupancy. The frequency may be gradually increased based on the overall response of tourists availing of the service. Primary maintenance of the rake shall be done at Guwahati, stabling may be done as per division’s convenience. The composition of the rake shall be LWSCZAC/4+LWLRRM/2+Vistadome/1 = 7 coaches.”

Accordingly, a trial run has been performed between New Haflong Railway station and Guwahati. Officers in NF Railways confirmed the trial run. Siliguri – Sevoke – Alipurduar, Kumarghat – Agartala and Alipurduar – Lumding routes were in contention for the Vista Dome special trains to operate.

How and when the proposal to run Vista Dome coaches between Lumding and Badarpur changed to Guwahati and New Haflong, remains unknown. “After discussing the matter internally, the competent officers observed that the Lumding – Badarpur section is at least six to seven hours journey. So, it has been decided for the benefit of the tourists, the Vista Dome coaches will run from Guwahati to New Haflong and return to Guwahati,” said a senior officer in the NF Railways.

The natural beauty of Jatinga, the historical longest tunnel in the NF Railways and many other zones of scenic beauty and historical importance falls in the Lumding – Badarpur division. Moreover, the Vista Dome coaches also open up economic opportunities for the locals in the section as many tourists are expected to board the train. As it stands, after three long years of living in anticipation, Vista Dome comes in as another setback for the Barak Valley.

Though one coach has been allotted to Guwahati – New Haflong route, the NF Railways can still announce a special train with Vista Dome coach between Lumding and Badarpur for the tourists of this section. There is no such proposal on the table at this stage.