NEW DELHI, March 6: With the introduction of railways in Shillong continuing to hang in balance, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has some big plans to better railway connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam.
The NFR has proposed introduction of Vistadome train service between Guwahati and Mendipathar, which is highly likely to significantly contribute towards the latter’s tourism sector.
The NFR recently held a meeting with the district administrations of North Garo Hills and Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare.
The Vistadome coaches, developed by the Integral Coach Factory, have larger viewing area, including rooftop glass and 44 seats for passengers that can rotate up to 180 degrees.
The coach also has a WiFi-based passenger information system and for the first time the Vistadome coach has been built on the LHB platform, which is safer.
Among other features of the new Vistadome coaches that stand out are that they are equipped 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, and observatory lounge with a larger window at one end.
In the newly built coaches, a mobile charging socket has been provided for each passenger below the seat armrest, an entertainment system integrated with digital display screens and speakers for music lovers. “Content on Demand” Wi-fi facility has been provided on personal gadgets of passengers, wider entrance doors for persons with disabilities on wheelchairs and automatic sliding doors at the compartment’s entry on both sides.
The coaches are connected with 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 to the passengers, service area consisting of hot case, microwave oven, coffee maker, bottle cooler, refrigerator and washbasin.
The new coaches are also equipped with a CCTV system for onboard surveillance and have aesthetically designed interiors and FRP panelling, FRP modular toilets with pressurized flushing system and bio tanks and automatic fire detection with an alarm system for safe travel.
It may be mentioned that the NFR, in a bid to promote local farm produce, also plans to open a fresh vegetable and fruit outlet, viz. ‘Arunachal Fresh’ at the Naharlagun Station in Arunachal Pradesh. Proposals for the construction of alternative goods shed at Naharlagun and feasibility for transportation of automobile traffic and other commodities and their benefits have also been conferred about.