02 October,2026 06:21 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
A Vande Bharat train crossing the bridge. Pic/videograb (@AshwiniVaishnaw)
A Vande Bharat Express crossed the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji at 100 kmph, as the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal rail section was raised from 75 kmph to 100 kmph, reported the PTI.
The speed enhancement on the Katra-Banihal section under Northern Railway's Jammu division was successfully tested on Thursday, marking a significant operational milestone for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project.
According to the PTI, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section had been increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.
The Vande Bharat Express, operating as Train Nos. 26401/26404, crossed both the Chenab Railway Bridge and Anji Khad Railway Bridge at the enhanced speed.
The Railway Ministry approved the increase after the prescribed safety conditions were completed by the Railways in August this year, officials said, according to the PTI.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of Vande Bharat train crossing the bridge.
The Katra-Banihal section is a key part of the USBRL project, which aims to provide seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
Before the latest enhancement, trains were permitted to run at a maximum speed of 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section, as per the PTI.
The increase to 100 kmph is expected to improve train operations, reduce travel time and provide faster and more comfortable journeys for passengers travelling between Katra and Banihal.
The 111-km section passes through rugged terrain in the Pir Panjal and lower Himalayan ranges, including deep valleys, steep slopes, major rivers and complex geological formations.
The challenging terrain required the use of advanced engineering techniques, including long tunnels, high-level bridges and other specialised railway infrastructure.
The section has 33 tunnels and includes some of India's most significant railway structures.
The Chenab Railway Bridge, constructed over the Chenab River near Reasi, is the world's highest railway bridge.
The section also includes the Anji Khad Railway Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
The two structures were crossed by the Vande Bharat Express at 100 kmph during Thursday's speed enhancement test.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on June 6, 2025.
(with PTI inputs)
