Visakhapatnam: Here is good news for those desperately waiting to travel in the transparent Vistadome train on KK line and enjoy the scenic beauties and tunnels from November 28. But, it is a rail cum road special package which is being introduced by AP Tourism Development Corporation Limited as the train will run till Tyda and later the bus services will be arranged from there to Borra Cave, Araku and other scenic locations.
It may be recalled that train communication to Araku has been suspended on the Kottavalasa-Kirandul line from October as a bridge (No.249) near the Chimidipalli-Borraguhalu section of the line was severely damaged. Hence, a new pier was being constructed there which could take another month to be completed from now. As part of the tour package costing Rs 3,200 per head, the Vistadome train will take the tourists to Tyda first passing through about 50 tunnels.
After Borra and Araku bus visit, tourists will also be taken to Coffee House, Tribal Museum and Hill Resorts for Dhemsa dance. Lunch and hi-tea is also part of the package. Tourists can also see coffee plantation and Galikonda viewpoint at Ananthagiri from where they would be brought to Vizag. APTDC and the railways have suffered huge revenue loss as this is the peak tourist season. The inflow of tourists to Borra Caves, Araku, Ananthagiri and others tourist spots in Vizag has already come down by over 35 percent.
Waltair Division of East Coast Railway officials said that Araku bound train runs at full capacity from October to December. About six months ago, a Vistadome coach was attached to the train. Normally from October to December, the inflow tourists will increase and at least 3,500 to 4,000 tourists used to visit Borra Caves on a single day. Interested people can contact at 9848023948, 9848813584-85 and book the tour package.
