Kashmir Train Adds Glass-Roof Cars for Mountain Views

Train passengers traveling through Kashmir can now watch snow-capped mountains and river valleys glide past through a glass ceiling. The Northern Railway just added a Vistadome coach to the Budgam-Katra route, featuring panoramic windows and a transparent roof that turns the journey itself into the destination.

The special train previously stopped at Banihal but now runs all the way to Katra, home to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. This extension gives residents and tourists better access to both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region, creating a vital link where mountain roads can be unreliable.

Vistadome coaches already delight travelers on routes like the Konkan Railway and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, but this marks their first appearance in Kashmir. The timing couldn't be better for a region working to strengthen its tourism appeal while improving everyday connectivity for locals.

The route winds through mountain ranges, crosses rivers, and passes through numerous tunnels. Passengers in the special coach get uninterrupted views of landscapes that make this one of India's most beautiful train rides, transforming what could be simple transportation into an unforgettable experience.

The Ripple Effect

The upgrade arrives at a crucial time for Kashmir's infrastructure. Principal Chief Commercial Manager Parveen Panday explained that last winter's heavy snowfall disrupted road access severely, making it difficult to move people and goods into the Valley. Rail service kept running, proving the network's growing reliability when residents need it most.

For communities where road connectivity remains limited, the extended train service offers more than scenic views. It provides a dependable lifeline for daily travel and commerce, especially during harsh winter months when highways become impassable.

Tourism will likely benefit too, as visitors seeking the Vaishno Devi shrine or Kashmir's natural beauty now have another comfortable travel option. The Vistadome coach transforms practical transportation into memorable sightseeing, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.

The railway's investment in passenger amenities shows how infrastructure improvements can serve multiple purposes at once. Better connectivity for locals and enhanced experiences for tourists aren't competing goals but complementary ones that lift the entire region together.