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MUMBAI: With a view to provide a delightful travelling experience to passengers, the Central Railway (CR) has introduced a see-through Vistadome coach on Mumbai-Goa route from today. A special coach with glass-roof Vistadome, rotatable chairs and hanging LCDs, was attached to Dadar-Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express, offering panoramic view of the surroundings.

 This special and aesthetically-designed Vistadome air-conditioned coach, is a first-of-its-kind in Indian Railways, said CR’s chief public relations officer Sunil Udasi said.

 "A unique feature of this Rs 3.38 crore 40-seat coach is the double-wide reclining passenger seats that could be rotated 360 degrees for a better sightseeing experience," Udasi added.

 A statement issued by the CR said, the passengers or tourists can now sit relaxed in their seats and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view from the Vistadome coach, unlike the stereotype train compartments.

 This special coach was received by the CR at its headquarters- the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in the first week of September.

 According to Udasi, this train will run three times a week during the monsoon period and five days a week once the monsoon gets over.

 The departure time of Jan Shatabdi Express is 5.25 am from Dadar and it reaches Madgaon at 4 pm the same day.

 The Vistadome coaches have been built in The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 Udasi said, the fares for this coach will be equivalent to that of the executive class in Shatabdi Express without catering charges. The reservation charges, GST and any other charges will be levied in addition to the basic fare.

 "There shall be no concession and all passengers will be charged at full fare. Minimum chargeable distance shall be 50 km," the official added.

 Booking for the Vistadome coach will be open at all computerised reservation centres and on website -- www.irctc.co.in - from tomorrow, he informed.

 A few months back, at the launch of the coach, former Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had said the Vistadome coaches were being introduced for the first time in the country to promote tourism.