The 5th of August marked a tectonic shift in the nation’s history. After 7 decades of Jammu & Kashmir having a separate constitution for itself, the former state which is now a Union Territory has been finally integrated fully with the Indian Union.

With Articles 370 and 35A now abrogated, circumstances in the valley are expected to improve after a period of turbulence in the short-run. It is also expected that the Valley will be opened up for investment and business opportunities. The tourism industry, too, is expected to receive a significant boost.

One of the proposed ventures of the Railways Ministry to help boost tourism in the Valley that has been held up thus far due to terrorism and violence is the Vistadome train. Union Minister for Railways, Piyush Goyal, had announced in 2018 that Vistadome trains will run in Kashmir which will enable passengers to experience the scenic beautify of the region while travelling.

However, the train has been parked at Badgam railway station since last year. Even after the trial was completed, the train couldn’t be opened for the public. The reason was that due to violence in the valley, it was feared by local authorities and the railways’ administration that the train could be susceptible to attacks by stone-pelters which could threaten the passengers’ safety.

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Recently, the train was given a green signal for service. Thus, it appears extremely probable that the proposed Vistadome train will finally be available for tourists to enjoy. Vistadome trains have glass ceilings that are made of glass and the windows are significantly larger as well so as to enhance the passengers’ visual experience.

कश्मीर की प्राकृतिक सुंदरता और हिमालय की खूबसूरत पर्वत श्रंखलाओं को अब रेल यात्री विस्टाडोम कोच से देख सकेंगे, इस कोच में शीशे की छत और खिड़कियां होंगी, जिससे यात्री इस पर्वतीय मार्ग पर अविस्मरणीय यात्रा का अनुभव प्राप्त करेंगे। pic.twitter.com/ischiQaOzk — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 23, 2018

The train is supposed to run from Banihal to Baramulla through Anantnag, Srinagar, and Badgam.

जब तापमान शून्य से कई डिग्री नीचे चला जाये यातायात के साधन और रास्ते बंद हो कहर बरपाती ठंड में बर्फ से ढकी पटरियों पर चलती ट्रेन उम्मीद की किरण से कम नही जम्मु कश्मीर में बारमुल्ला से बनिहाल के बीच दौड़ने वाली ट्रेन सैलानियों में रोमांच भर देती है। pic.twitter.com/ZQgEdmXbBG — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 17, 2018

Due to violence in the valley, train services had to be stopped partially 60 times and on 30 occasions, services had to be stopped completely. With things expected to return to normalcy soon, tourists may finally get to experience the travel on a Vistadome train which promises to be enthralling.