Trial run of Kashmir’s first Luxury Glass-roofed AC train conducted

 

Srinagar, Aug 31: The trial run of Kashmir’s first Luxury Glass-roofed AC train was held on Monday between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region in view of a documentary to be filmed on the 137-km-long rail link in coming days.

The development comes days after the J&K administration asked Northern Railways to prepare for a special run of the glass-roofed coach for four days beginning from August 31.

However, the train service between Baramulla and Banihal remained suspended since March in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

A Railway official said the trial run of the luxury train was held between Budgam in central Kashmir and Banihal in the morning. “The trial run between Budgam and Baramulla was held in the afternoon,” he added.

He said the shooting of the documentary will be held in coming days.

“The LG has directed to run the vistadome rake (coach) on Banihal-Baramulla section for a film crew to make a documentary on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project,” reads an official letter issued by the railways.

The official said the documentary will help in showcasing Kashmir rail link between Baramulla and Banihal, which before the restrictions used to ferry over 30,000 commuters every day.

In order to make train journey in Kashmir valley comfortable and exciting, the Northern Railways in 2018 introduced the first Air-Conditioned train fitted with a glass-rooftop and bigger windowpanes for sightseeing.

However, the full-fledged operation of the special coach was not possible, first due to the lockdown due to unrest post abrogation of special status of J&K on August 5 last year and later due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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