GUWAHATI: Two more Vistadome train services have been introduced from Guwahati and Tinsukia with an aim to transform trade and tourism in the North-Eastern region and to promote the cultural heritage of North East India.
The two trains between Guwahati-Naharlagun and Naharlagun–Tinsukia were flagged off on December 19 by Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma at Guwahati Railway Station, and Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu at the Naharlagun Station. Minister of State of Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh was also present at the Guwahati Railway Station along with other Ministers of the State.
The existing Vistadome service between Guwahati and New Haflong has also been extended to Badarpur in Assam to fulfil the demand of tourists.
The regular services of Train No 12087/12088 Naharlagun–Guwahati–Naharlagun Shatabdi Express with Vistadome coach will resume from Monday, December 20. The train will run three days a week leaving from Naharlagun on every Monday, Tuesday and Friday. While from Guwahati, the train will be operational every Monday, Thursday and Sunday. The train will depart from Naharlagun at 6.45 AM to reach Guwahati at 12.30 PM, and from Guwahati at 1.45 PM to reach Naharlagun at 7.45 PM. The train will cover a distance of 343 Kms and have stoppages at Harmuti, Biswanath Charali, Rangapara North, New Misamari, Udalguri, Tangla and Rangiya stations in Assam.
The regular services of 15907/15908 Tinsukia-Naharlagun–Tinsukia Vistadome Express will start from December 21. The train will run five days a week leaving from Tinsukia every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and leaving from Naharlagun every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The train will depart from Tinsukia at 4.00 PM to reach Naharlagun at 9.45 PM and from Naharlagun at 5.30 AM to reach Tinsukia at 10.40 AM. The train will cover a distance of 225 Kms and have stoppages at New Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Bordoloni, Gogamukh, Boginadi, North Lakhimpur and Harmuti stations.
The existing services of Train No. 15888/15887 Guwahati–New Haflong–Guwahati have been extended to run up to Badarpur from December 22. The Train No. 15888/15887 Guwahati–Badarpur–Guwahati will leave from Guwahati at 6.45 AM to reach Badarpur at 2.20 PM and leave from Badarpur at 3.15 PM to reach Guwahati at 10.45 PM. The train will cover a distance of 341 Kms and have stoppages at Maibong, New Haflong and Jatinga Lumpur stations.
The Guwahati–Naharlagun route is surrounded by tea gardens and tourists can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Himalayan range in the north and green covers of tea gardens on either side of the track. Vistadome services from Naharlagun will provide breathtaking views of the Brahmaputra river, tea gardens, rain forests along the track and views of mountains of the Himalayan range. The route also covers the historic cities of Assam. Tourism sectors of this area will reap the benefits from these new services.