Mumbai: The Vistadome coach on the revived Mumbai-Pune Deccan Express was fully booked on its maiden run on Saturday. All 44 seats were taken, and passengers were allowed to cut cake inside the train. The cake resembled the inside of the coach. Large glass windows and a glass roof facilitated breathtakingly beautiful views of Western Ghats on the route.
Central Railway chief PRO Shivaji Sutar said passengers enjoyed the journey and took photographs at the selfie point that was specially placed near the coach at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). He said children especially enjoyed the large windows and adjustable seats. A regular Mumbai-Pune passenger said the view of Bhor ghat was the highlight of his journey on Saturday.
The Vistadome coach has been designed for an unhindered view of river, valley and waterfalls on this route, while passing through Khandala and Lonavala ghats, Songir hill (near Palasdhari), Ulhas river (near Jambrung), the Ulhas valley and tunnels in the southeast section of the ghats.
The 01007 Deccan Express special will leave CSMT everyday at 7 am, arriving in Pune at 11.05 am. The return journey (01008 Deccan Express) will begin at 3.15 pm, with the train reaching CSMT at 7.05 pm. The train will halt at Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Neral (only for 01007), Lonavala, Talegaon, Khadki and Shivaji Nagar.
