For decades, Uttar Pradesh has been globally synonymous with the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal. But now, the state is scripting a powerful new identity – one where glass-roofed trains glide through dense forests, wild rhinos roam freely with their calves, and tourism thrives amid conservation.
In a landmark move, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to launch a Vistadome Jungle Safari Train, offering tourists an immersive wildlife experience through three iconic forest landscapes – Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
This pioneering initiative is not just about scenic travel. It is about reviving forests, increasing wildlife sightings, boosting local livelihoods, and placing Uttar Pradesh firmly on India’s eco-tourism map.
Indian Masterminds spoke exclusively with Dr. H. Rajamohan, a 2001-batch Indian Forest Service officer and Field Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, to learn more about the Vistadome Jungle Safari train and the initiatives boosting tourism in Uttar Pradesh’s renowned national park. Under his vision and leadership, tourism and conservation efforts in the Terai region have been significantly transformed.
About the Vistadome Jungle Safari Train
The Vistadome Jungle Safari Train is a specially designed tourist train that offers a panoramic view of the forest through large glass windows and a transparent roof, allowing passengers to witness nature in its raw, uninterrupted form.
Unlike conventional safaris limited to specific zones and hours, this train journey unfolds across 107 kilometres of pristine forest landscape, passing through dense Sal forests, marshy grasslands, wetlands, and riverine ecosystems of the Terai belt.
“This is not just a train journey; it is a lifetime experience,” Dr. Rajamohan told Indian Masterminds during an exclusive interaction. “Through the glass windows, tourists see the real Dudhwa – untouched, wild, and alive. Every turn offers something new.”
The train connects Bichia (near Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary) to Mailani (the gateway to Dudhwa National Park), making it one of the most immersive forest rail journeys in the country.
Route, Timings, and How to Book Tickets
The Vistadome coach operates on the historic Bichia–Mailani meter-gauge railway line, stretching approximately 108 kilometres through forest interiors.
Key Route Details:
- Starting Point: Bichia Station, Bahraich
- Ending Point: Mailani Station, Lakhimpur Kheri
- Stations Covered (9): Bichia, Manjhara Purab, Khairatia Bandh Road, Tikunia, Belerayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri, Mailani
Timings:
- Train No. 52259 (Bichia to Mailani): Departs at 11:45 AM, arrives at 4:10 PM
- Train No. 52260 (Mailani to Bichia): Departs at 6:05 AM, arrives at 10:30 AM
Ticket Booking:
- Tickets can be booked online via the IRCTC website
- Fare: Just ₹275 per tourist
- Journey Duration: Approximately 4 hours 25 minutes
Currently, the service operates on Saturdays and Sundays, but plans are underway to make it a daily service, significantly improving accessibility for tourists across seasons.
How the Vistadome Train Is Boosting Tourism
The impact of the Vistadome Jungle Safari Train has been immediate and visible. According to Dr. Rajamohan, tourism in Dudhwa has been steadily increasing for the last three years, with a notable surge since the introduction of the train.
“The response has been amazing,” he said. “This train has played a major role in increasing tourist footfall. People who come here now rarely leave without seeing something.”
The journey offers sightings of Bengal tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, barasingha deer, and a wide variety of birds – making it especially popular among wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers.
Importantly, the train is expected to attract visitors even during the monsoon season, when traditional safaris are often restricted.
The initiative is also generating local employment, benefiting homestay owners, resort operators, guides, and travel agents, thereby strengthening the regional economy.
‘One Destination, Three Forests’: A Unified Vision
The Vistadome train is a cornerstone of the Uttar Pradesh government’s ambitious concept of “One Destination, Three Forests”, which integrates Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary into a single, seamless tourism experience.
Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra highlighted the vision behind the initiative: “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is working tirelessly to make Uttar Pradesh’s forest regions nationally and internationally renowned. Integrating these three forests through the Vistadome coach offers tourists an accessible and exciting experience.”
The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board has also announced plans to introduce tourist packages from Lucknow to Katarniaghat, with proposed subsidies to make eco-tourism more affordable.
Other Tourism Initiatives on the Ground
Beyond the Vistadome train, several infrastructure upgrades have been implemented to support the rising number of visitors.
Dr. Rajamohan revealed that –
- A new gate has been opened in Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- A new gate and a new tourism route have been introduced in Katarniaghat
“These steps have eased access and improved visitor flow,” he explained. “The response to these new routes and gates has been very encouraging.”
The Rhinoceros Revival: A Conservation Success Story
One of the most compelling reasons behind the surge in tourism is the remarkable success of the rhinoceros rewilding programme in Dudhwa.
“Our sightings have increased significantly,” Dr. Rajamohan said. “Not just tigers, but rhinoceroses too. Four rhinos – one male and three females – were released into the wild. All three females have given birth.”
Today, these rhinos roam freely with their calves, offering tourists rare and thrilling sightings.
Building on this success, the forest department is preparing to release six more rhinoceroses from a fenced area into the wild before March.
“This has created a resident population,” he noted. “That kind of status changes everything. Nowadays, whoever visits Dudhwa finds something or the other – rhino, deer, tiger. People don’t return empty-handed.”
A Journey That Defines a New Uttar Pradesh
The Vistadome Jungle Safari Train is more than a tourism product – it is a symbol of how conservation, innovation, and governance can work together. Fully electric and environmentally sensitive, the train promotes sustainable tourism while offering an unforgettable window into India’s wild heart.
As Uttar Pradesh steps beyond its historic monuments and into its forests, this initiative stands as a bold declaration: the future of tourism lies not just in heritage, but in harmony with nature.
And through the panoramic windows of the Vistadome, that future is already rolling forward.
