Gujarat launches Vista Dome bus service at Statue of Unity, PM Modi inaugurates
Synopsis
Gujarat has raised the bar on tourist transport with five ₹2.19-crore Vista Dome coaches — transparent-roofed, recliner-seated, and fridge-fitted — launched at the Statue of Unity by PM Modi. Two are already running; three more arrive within two months, and statewide heritage-route expansion is already planned.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Tourism and GSRTC jointly launched the 'Vista Dome' premium bus service at the Statue of Unity , Narmada, on 2 November 2026 .
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the first two coaches and took a ride on one during the launch.
Each coach costs ₹2.19 crore , seats 23 passengers , and features transparent sky-view roofs, reclining seats, LED TV, mini refrigerator, and onboard safety systems.
Of five coaches planned, two are operational ; the remaining three will be introduced within two months .
Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi confirmed plans to expand the service to other tourist destinations and heritage routes across Gujarat in phases.
Tickets can be booked via the GSRTC website .
Gujarat Tourism and the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) have jointly launched a premium 'Vista Dome' coach service at the Statue of Unity in Narmada, offering tourists air-conditioned travel under transparent dome-shaped roofs with panoramic sky views. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first two coaches on 2 November 2026, also taking a ride aboard one of the buses during the launch.
What the Vista Dome Coaches Offer
Each of the five specially manufactured buses seats 23 passengers and is fitted with transparent sky-view roofs that allow travellers to enjoy unobstructed views of the open sky and surrounding landscapes while remaining in air-conditioned comfort. The passenger cabins feature revolving and fully adjustable reclining seats, along with a dedicated driver's seat.
Onboard amenities include a premium LED smart television, CCTV cameras, a coffee and tea-making machine, a mini refrigerator, and mobile charging points. Safety features encompass an advanced fire detection and suppression system, toughened glass panels, and emergency hammers.
Cost and Rollout Timeline
Each Vista Dome coach costs ₹2.19 crore. Of the five coaches planned under the initiative, two have been inaugurated so far, with the remaining three set to be introduced within the next two months. Passengers can book tickets through the GSRTC website.
The buses also carry exterior graphics depicting Gujarat's major tourist landmarks — including the Statue of Unity, Akshardham, Somnath and Dwarka temples, Gir National Park, Adalaj Stepwell, the White Rann of Dhordo, Tarnetar Fair, and Vijay Vilas Palace.
Expansion Plans Across Gujarat
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi indicated that the service would not remain confined to the Statue of Unity. "Similar services would be introduced in phases at other tourist destinations and along heritage routes across Gujarat," he said. The Statue of Unity launch is described as the first phase of the initiative, with the proposed expansion expected to cover additional heritage and nature tourism corridors statewide.
Why It Matters for Gujarat Tourism
The Vista Dome service is positioned as an experiential upgrade to the existing tourist transport infrastructure, aiming to distinguish Gujarat's offering from conventional bus connectivity. This comes amid sustained efforts by the state government to grow inbound tourism around marquee assets like the Statue of Unity — which draws millions of visitors annually — and to extend that footfall to lesser-visited heritage circuits. The move also aligns with a broader national push to professionalise tourist mobility at high-footfall sites.
With the remaining three coaches due to be rolled out shortly and statewide expansion on the horizon, the success of the Narmada pilot will likely determine how quickly the model scales across Gujarat's tourism network.
Point of View
Because the Statue of Unity already has a captive audience; the harder work is building similar footfall at Adalaj or Tarnetar. The absence of ticket pricing details in the announcement is notable — premium amenities attract premium fares, and if the pricing overshoots the walk-in tourist's budget, the service risks becoming a photo opportunity rather than a transport solution.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vista Dome bus service at the Statue of Unity?
It is a premium air-conditioned coach service jointly launched by Gujarat Tourism and GSRTC at the Statue of Unity in Narmada. The buses feature transparent dome-shaped roofs for panoramic sky views, reclining seats, LED TV, mini refrigerator, and onboard safety systems, with each coach costing ₹2.19 crore.
Who inaugurated the Vista Dome service and when?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the service on 2 November 2026 at the Statue of Unity. He also took a ride aboard one of the coaches during the launch event.
How many Vista Dome buses are currently operational and when will the rest launch?
Two of the five planned Vista Dome coaches have been inaugurated and are operational. The remaining three are scheduled to be introduced within the next two months.
How can tourists book tickets for the Vista Dome service?
Passengers can book tickets through the official GSRTC website. The service is currently available at the Statue of Unity, with expansion to other destinations planned in phases.
Will the Vista Dome service be expanded beyond the Statue of Unity?
Yes. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has stated that similar services will be introduced in phases at other tourist destinations and along heritage routes across Gujarat. The Statue of Unity launch is described as the first phase of the initiative.
