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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
What makes monsoon the best season for train journeys in India
Megha Desai, 36, a senior art director at a Mumbai-based branding studio, found her perfect monsoon escape not in a remote hill station, but in a glass-roofed coach on the Executive Vistadome AC (EV) compartment of the Dadar–Madgaon Janshatabdi Express, which runs daily. 'You don't need a five-star resort in the hills. Just book a Vistadome seat,' she says. In July 2024, during a break from back-to-back campaign shoots, Megha booked the Vistadome coach on a whim after seeing a friend's Instagram stories of misty Konkan views. Securing the ticket — which cost her around ₹4,160 for a round trip — meant checking the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) site daily, but the effort paid off. 'The train was packed and everyone wanted that glass box view.' As the train rolled out of Mumbai and into the lush Western Ghats (the journey from Dadar to Madgaon takes around 11 hours and 20 minutes), Megha was glued to the panoramic windows. 'It was just rivers overflowing, waterfalls crashing down rocks, and dense green cliffs draped in mist. I've flown to Goa plenty of times, but this was different.' The Vistadome coaches, which according to a video shared by the Ministry of Railways on X (formerly Twitter) in July 2024 number 111 in operation across India, available on select routes like Mumbai–Goa, Mumbai–Pune, and Bengaluru–Mangaluru, offer large windows, rear observation decks, and rotating seats — features that made it easy for Megha to soak in views from both sides. 'Near Ratnagiri, the train slowed and there were three waterfalls visible at once. I couldn't look away.' Would she recommend it? 'Absolutely. But book early,' she laughs. 'I got lucky with a cancellation.' She also advises checking the Konkan Railway's special monsoon timetable, as train speeds are often reduced. Chugging along There is something about monsoon train travel that feels really special. You are sitting by the window, chai in hand, as the world outside blurs into green hills, rushing waterfalls, and misty skies. Even the noisiest cities seem gentler behind rain-speckled glass. It was this season that nudged Anand Ramaswamy, a 42-year-old product manager from Hyderabad, to take a quiet break in June aboard the Vistadome coach from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley — a route that threads through the monsoon-soaked Eastern Ghats. After taking the overnight Godavari Express from Secunderabad to Vizag, he boarded the morning Vistadome service, drawn in by its promise of glass ceilings, rotating seats, and uninterrupted views of tunnels, waterfalls and deep green valleys. 'You enter a tunnel, then burst out into fog or a cliff dripping with water, everyone just goes still,' he says. In Araku, he checked into a coffee estate homestay, explored the Tribal Museum and Padmapuram Gardens, and spent the evening listening to the rain on a tin roof. 'Coming from Hyderabad's dry heat, it felt like I'd travelled two seasons away in a day,' he says. He returned the next evening, rested, and insists he would do it again. 'It's one of those rare Indian train rides where the journey really is the whole point.' Anand points out that the Vistadome coach is generally attached only for the onward journey from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley. For the return trip, passengers must book a seat in a regular coach on a different train. He took the Kirandul Express, which departs later in the day. Departure from Visakhapatnam is around 6.45am or 6.50am, with arrival at Araku Valley around 10.55 am. According to the latest ticket prices listed on the IRCTC website, a one-way ticket in the Vistadome coach (EV class) from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley costs approximately ₹735 to ₹750. Travelling on India's boutique trains during the monsoon — or really, any time — is far more than just getting from one place to another. It is slow travel blended with five-star comfort and cultural depth. Delhi-based independent journalist Shibani Bawa still recalls the surreal glamour of her seven-night journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey's Maharashtra Splendour itinerary in 2016, which runs from October to April, beginning and ending in Mumbai, with stops at Nashik, Ellora Caves, Kolhapur, Goa, Sindhudurg, and Ratnagiri. 'It was extremely well-maintained and truly luxurious,' she says. 'The service was just fabulous — you could tell everything had been carefully thought through.' Ticket prices for the 2025–2026 season (as per reflect the all-inclusive nature of the experience, from gourmet meals to guided sightseeing. A Deluxe Cabin for single occupancy costs approximately US$9,330 (around ₹7.74 lakh), while double occupancy is priced at US$13,300 (₹11.03 lakh). The Presidential Suite is offered at US$20,000 (₹16.60 lakh), regardless of single or double occupancy. The Maharashtra Splendour tour date for this year is September 20. The train is all old-school elegance, with two dining cars serving plated meals on silverware. 'For every meal, you can pick between Indian and western set menus, and even the western dishes are excellent. I even asked for the soup recipes,' she adds. A few off-board meals were also arranged, including lunch with the royal family in Sawantwadi. 'It felt personal, not touristy.' Though the days were indulgent, the nights were sometimes bumpy. 'One night I genuinely thought I'd fall off the bed, it shook so much,' she laughs, noting that a later track upgrade likely fixed that. The Deccan Odyssey would arrive at quieter platforms, greeted with garlands and music. 'Each stop felt like an event,' she says. Sightseeing was thoughtfully managed, including rest stops with clean facilities. 'You could tell they were used to luxury tourists, the standard was high throughout.' Would she do it again? 'Absolutely,' Shibani says. 'The contrast, luxury on the train, culture off it, was the best part. I'd love to do one in the South next — maybe during the monsoon. Can you imagine that view from the dining car?' Slow and winding Under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme, launched by Indian Railways in November 2021, private operators lease full trains to run curated, theme-based circuits — while Indian Railways provides the coaches and tracks. The first private train under the scheme was flagged off on June 14, 2022 by South Star Rail, a Coimbatore-based company. The five-day pilgrimage from Coimbatore to Shirdi carried around 1,100 passengers, with halts at Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Yelahanka, Dharmavaram, and Mantralayam before reaching Wadi and Shirdi. With AC and Sleeper classes, onboard crew, and fresh vegetarian meals, it set a new standard for private rail hospitality. 'It marked a real shift,' says Vignesh, director, Tour Times, Chennai, a private tourist train operator offering itineraries across India,which now runs several Bharat Gaurav tours. 'We focus on seamless, end-to-end travel. Passengers don't lift a finger — luggage stays onboard, we handle everything else.' Tour Times, recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, has launched heritage circuits across the South and East, including the upcoming 11-day Coromandel Coastal Bliss Tour, which costs ₹26,700 per head. It departs on August 28, covering Kolkata, the Sundarbans, Bhubaneswar, Borra Caves, Araku Valley, and Visakhapatnam. 'The rain transforms the landscape. From your train window, temple towns, flooded fields, and mountain valleys blur past — it's cinematic. That's the magic,' says Vignesh. Meanwhile, the North East Discovery itinerary, part of the Bharat Gaurav initiative, launched on April 22, becomes all the more compelling during the monsoon, when the lush landscapes of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya come alive in their full glory. The 15-day, 5,800 kilometre luxury journey is operated aboard the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train, featuring air-conditioned coaches with showers, sensor-enabled washrooms, foot massagers, and two dining cars serving hot, freshly prepared meals. The per-person cost for this journey ranges from approximately ₹1.16 lakh for AC III class up to ₹1.67 lakh for AC I (Coupe) class. These prices cover train travel, hotel stays, meals, sightseeing, and other tour services. Part of the Government's Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and Dekho Apna Desh initiatives, the itinerary is designed to offer regional sightseeing, making it an ideal way to experience the cloud-draped hills and vibrant cultural life of the North East in the rainy season. In a country where the monsoon is as much an emotion as it is a season, there is something grounding about slowing down to watch it unfurl from a train. The landscapes change, the light shifts, and so does something within you. And all it takes is a window seat.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Salkhan Fossils Park makes it to UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites
Set amidst idyllic surroundings, Salkhan Fossils Park in Sonbhadra—one of the oldest fossil sites in the world—has been included in UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Detailed information about the park is now made available on the official UNESCO website. This milestone is expected to significantly boost Uttar Pradesh's global tourism profile. Located near Salkhan village, about 15 km from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra, the park has been the focus of dedicated efforts by the tourism department over the past year. (HT ) Following the chief minister's directives, the Uttar Pradesh eco-tourism development board is preparing a comprehensive dossier to support the park's nomination for UNESCO's permanent World Heritage status, said officials. The dossier will soon be submitted to the government of India and officials are optimistic that the park could attain full World Heritage status within the next two years. Tourism director Prakhar Mishra explained that inclusion in the tentative list is the first step in the UNESCO World Heritage nomination process. This is followed by the submission of a detailed dossier and an on-site evaluation by a UNESCO team—typically a year-long process. Mishra confirmed that the dossier for Salkhan Fossils Park is currently being finalised and will soon be forwarded to UNESCO via the central government. 'This recognition will not only bring international acclaim to Uttar Pradesh but also position the state as a major destination for eco-tourism and scientific research,' he said. Principal secretary of tourism, Mukesh Meshram, highlighted that CM Yogi Adityanath has consistently undertaken key initiatives to promote tourism, especially eco-tourism, across the state. One such recent initiative includes the introduction of Vistadome coaches on tourist trains, connecting Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve with scenic rail routes. Located near Salkhan village, about 15 km from Robertsganj in Sonbhadra, the park has been the focus of dedicated efforts by the tourism department over the past year. A key development in this journey was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 26, 2024, between the UP eco-tourism development board and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow. The institute conducted detailed scientific studies of fossil-bearing rocks in the park. These studies revealed the presence of 1.4 billion-year-old stromatolites and algae fossils—some of the earliest known evidence of life on Earth. This scientific foundation played a critical role in the park's nomination to UNESCO.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Time of India
A tale of two cities: Deccan Queen turns 95
1 2 Mumbai: Deccan Queen, one of Central Railway's most prestigious and popular trains, turned 95 on Sunday. Introduced between Mumbai and Pune, the two premier cities of Maharashtra, on June 1, 1930, Deccan Queen was a major landmark in the history of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the forerunner of Central Railway. This was the first deluxe train introduced on the railway to serve two important cities of the region and was aptly named Deccan Queen or Dakkan ki Rani. The train has the distinction of having many firsts to its credit. The Deccan Queen is the only running train with the facility of a dining car, which offers table service and has modern pantry facilities such as a microwave oven, deep freezer, and toaster. The dining car is tastefully furnished with cushioned chairs and carpet. "Coaches with roller bearings were introduced for the first time in this train in the past. End-on generation coaches were replaced with self-generating coaches with a 110-volt system for the first time. First and second class chair cars were introduced," said CR chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila The Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen was attached with a Vistadome coach with effect from August 15, 2021, providing passengers a golden opportunity for a wonderful view of the breathtaking scenery as the train traversed through the Western Ghats. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo All the conventional coaches of Deccan Queen Express were replaced with LHB coaches in June 2022 under Project Utkrisht, with modern facilities like LED lights, bio toilets, Braille signages, etc. The train now runs with a revised composition of sixteen coaches: three AC chair cars, nine second class chair cars, one Vistadome coach, one dining car, one general second class cum guard's brake van, and a generator car, said a CR spokesperson. "It is always a pleasure travelling by this popular train to Pune and also back to Mumbai. In fact, many passengers like me are happy with the punctuality of this train besides the comfort it offers for a pleasant ride," said Sumita Desai, a Mulund resident who travels to Pune regularly as she has a second home there. Additionally, some passengers travel daily from Pune on monthly passes and hold govt and semi-govt jobs in the city.
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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Uttar Pradesh govt launches India's 1st Vistadome jungle safari train
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a Vistadome coach service connecting Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district with Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Pilibhit, making it the first state in India to offer a jungle safari through a Vistadome train, according to an official statement released on Saturday. The tourist train features specially designed coaches with large glass windows and transparent roofs. The initiative aims to deliver an exciting wildlife experience while highlighting the state's natural beauty, the statement mentioned. Currently operating on Saturdays and Sundays, there are plans to extend the service to daily operations, increasing accessibility for tourists throughout the year. The initiative is also expected to create local employment and boost the regional economy. Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra stated that the objective is to promote the state's forest regions under the brand 'One Destination Three Forests' at both national and international levels. As part of this initiative, Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary have been integrated to offer tourists a convenient and engaging experience through the Vistadome coach service. The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board has introduced the service providing visitors with year-round access to distinctive nature trails and jungle safari experiences, he elaborated. The Vistadome coach allows tourists to travel 107 km within the forest, offering close encounters with natural landscapes, biodiversity, and wildlife. The experience takes approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes, with tickets costing Rs 275 per person for this route. According to Mishra, the board is developing a package to transport tourists from Lucknow to Katarniaghat. The government is exploring subsidy options for this package to enhance its affordability for visitors. Sharing details about the Bichia to Mailani Tourist Passenger Train (train number 52259), which traverses 107 kilometers of abundant biodiversity, Mishra stated that it departs from Bichia station in Bahraich at 11.45 am, passing through multiple stations before arriving at Mailani station in Lakhimpur Kheri at 4.10 pm. The return service, Mailani to Bichia Tourist Passenger Train (train number 52260), departs Mailani at 6:05 am and reaches Bichia by 10.30 am. The train stops at nine stations including Bichia, Manjhara Purab, Khairatia Bandh Road, Tikunia, Belerayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri, and Mailani. The board is developing a package to facilitate tourist travel from the state capital, Lucknow, to Katarniaghat. The government is exploring the possibility of offering subsidies on this package to enhance its affordability for visitors. (With agency inputs)
The Star
18-05-2025
- The Star
Uttar Pradesh launches India's first vistadome jungle safari train
NEW DELHI: In a significant move to boost eco-tourism and attract nature enthusiasts, the Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with Indian Railways, has launched a first-of-its-kind Vistadome coach service connecting the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. This pioneering initiative makes Uttar Pradesh the first state in India to offer a jungle safari experience via a Vistadome train. The specially designed coaches feature large glass windows and transparent roofs, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the forest landscapes. This unique service allows travellers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the region. Currently operating on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), the service is expected to be expanded to daily operations based on the growing interest and positive feedback from tourists. The initiative not only enriches nature-based tourism but is also poised to generate local employment and boost the regional economy. UP Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra stated on Saturday that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is working to brand the state's forest zones under the theme 'One Destination, Three Forests' integrating Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary to offer a unified and thrilling tourist experience via the Vistadome service. The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board has launched this project to offer year-round jungle safari and nature trail experiences. Passengers can enjoy a 107-kilometer journey through the forest, lasting about 4 hours and 25 minutes, for an affordable fare of just Rs 275 per tourist for the route from Katarniaghat to Dudhwa. The Board is also preparing special travel packages from Lucknow to Katarniaghat, with plans to offer subsidies to make them more accessible. The service is currently offered via the Bichia to Mailani Tourist Passenger Train (No. 52259), which departs Bichia (Bahraich) at 11.45am and arrives at Mailani (Lakhimpur Kheri) at 4.10pm. The return train (No. 52260) departs Mailani at 6.05am and reaches Bichia at 10.30am. Along the way, the train halts at nine stations – Bichia, Manjhara Purab, Khairatia Bandh Road, Tikunia, Belerayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri, and Mailani. Apart from forests and wildlife sanctuaries, the route also showcases diverse natural landscapes such as wetlands, grasslands, farmlands, and woodlands, ensuring a scenic ride even during the monsoon season. This innovative venture is expected to empower the local economy by involving home-stay owners, resort operators, and travel agents, while creating employment opportunities and enhancing regional tourism. Additionally, weekly curated tours are organized under the Youth Tourism Club for students from government schools. Familiarisation (fame) tours for influencers and travel bloggers are also being conducted to promote the experience digitally and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation. - The Statesman/ANN
