VISAKHAPATNAM: The glass-doomed Vistadome coach attached to Araku train (Vizag–Kirandul passenger) restarted its operations with 100 per cent occupancy, including tourists from other states on Monday. While trial runs were made from Vizag to Chimidipalli after completing repairs works of the damaged bridge near Borra Caves in 58 days, tourists can now get a feel of travelling by glass-doomed coach this winter. The Vistadome coach, which started its operations in the city on April 16, 2017, had good response from tourists, especially people from other states. The passenger train is always crowded, especially during weekends and peak season.
The landslides along the Vizag and Kirandul route damaged the 80-metre railway bridge near the Borra Caves on October 6. The train services were cancelled and are running on diverted routes. Though the trial runs were made, it was not comfortable for many passengers as they had to disembark at Tyda railway station and take a vehicle which is new for many first-time tourists.
Since it is vacation time, many tourists from other states including Odisha, West Bengal and Pune have arrived to travel on the reopening day after a long break. The coach also had some foreign tourists who wished to travel to Araku in the glass-doomed coach. “We have been in the city for vacation and we came to know that the train services to Araku woud be restored. We booked the tickets. I have been to Araku by road and train earlier but this would definetely be a different and beautiful experience for someone who wish to travel through tunnels in the nature’s lap, watching waterfalls and mountains especially in this weather,” said Chanakya of Pune who was travelling with his family to Araku.
According to sources, on an average there was a daily loss of `40 lakh on the passenger revenue and `1.5 to 2 crore on cargo services, amounting to `120-150 crore in total. Railways had a revenue of `46 lakh on each train and 4-5 trains were cancelled. According to the Railways, the completion of repair works in 58 days, two days before the deadline, is a record by East Coast Railways.
For repair works around 400 labourers were engaged and technical equipments used on the rocky terrain. The bridge was reconstructed at expenditure of `7 crore. The Railways have also given incentives to the agency for early completion, 0.5 per cent of the contract amount for each day of early completion.
“The Vistadome coach had 100 per cent occupancy on the first day and 68 per cent for the return journey. We are also planning to increase the occupancy rate in the return journey, which is quite less due to the train timings which don’t suit tourists. As of now, the tickets are pre-booked till January,” said a Railway official.
First day
100%
occupancy on the first day, 68 per cent for return journey
The Vistadome coach had tourists from foriegn nations, Odisha, West Bengal and Pune
Tickets reserved till January