Monsoon splash: Run-days of Vistadome coach on Mumbai-Goa route reduced
Due to monsoons, Indian Railways have decided to run the popular Vistadome coach on the Mumbai-Goa route only on six days instead of seven. This comes after the implementation of Konkan Railway's June-October monsoon schedule. During this period, trains run at much slower due to the landslide-prone terrain of the route. On this route, Vistadome coaches are attached to the Dadar-Madgaon Jan-Shatabdi Express.
Wednesday will be the weekly-off for the coach
The schedule, to be implemented from today, will go on till September 24. As per the notification, the Vistadome coach will be available on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for journeys starting from Dadar, Mumbai. Return journeys from Madgaon, Goa, will have the coach on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. On Wednesday, it will be in the garage for maintenance work, said a railway official.
Arrival time in Madgaon also delayed by two hours
In absence of the specialized coach, a two-tier air-conditioned coach will be attached till September-25. According to the monsoon schedule, the train will depart from Dadar at the usual time, which is 5.25AM, but instead of 2.05PM, it'll reach Madgaon at 4PM. Vistadome coaches are extremely popular among travelers, as these have glass roofs, large windows and rotating-chairs, enabling them to enjoy lush-green surroundings.
Former railway minister Suresh Prabhu had inaugurated the coach
The 40-seater also has an observation lounge, automatic doors, hanging LCDs, microwave oven, small refrigerators and other amenities. It was built in the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai at a cost of Rs. 3.38cr and was introduced on the Mumbai-Goa route in September'17 by former railway minister Suresh Prabhu. The first Vistadome coach was, however, started between Visakhapatnam and the scenic Araku Valley hill station.
Meanwhile, heavy rains continue to pound Konkan belt
Southwest monsoon hit the Konkan belt few days ago and has already crippled normal life. Flight and train operations were hit both in Mumbai and Goa. Weather-department has warned of winds of up to 60 kmph along the western coast in the next two days.
