Historic leap for rail in J&K as train speed on Katra-Banihal raised to 100 Kmph
Vande Bharat scripts record on Chenab & Anji Bridges Nishikant Khajuria JAMMU, Oct 2: In a landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir's rail connectivity, the maximum permissible speed on the 111 km long Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section has...
Vande Bharat scripts record on Chenab & Anji Bridges
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Oct 2: In a landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir's rail connectivity, the maximum permissible speed on the 111 km long Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section has been increased from 75 km per hour to 100 km per hour.
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Sharing the development on social media platform X, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the day as "historic"
The increased speed was successfully tested today when Vande Bharat Express crossed the world's highest single arch railway bridge over the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji, at 100 kmph.
"Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 26401/26404, created a new record by crossing the world's highest Chenab Bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji Bridge at 100 kmph,” said Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu.
The Railway Ministry has approved the enhancement in the maximum permissible speed to 100 kmph as all prescribed safety conditions were already complied with by the Railways in August this year, he added.
The 111-km Katra-Banihal section is a crucial and technically challenging component of the USBRL project, providing seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
Earlier, trains were permitted to operate at a maximum speed of 85 kmph on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section.
According to Uchit Singhal, the enhancement in the permissible speed will make the train operations on the USBRL project smoother, reduce travel time and provide faster, safer and more comfortable journeys to passengers.
The Katra-Banihal section traverses some of the most difficult and rugged terrain of the Pir Panjal and lower Himalayan ranges, involving deep valleys, steep mountain slopes, major rivers and highly complex geological formations.
The section has some of the country's most prestigious and challenging engineering structures, including the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, constructed over the Chenab River near Reasi, and the Anji Khad Railway Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, besides 33 tunnels.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on June 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna today conducted a detailed inspection of the Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge, through window trailing and appreciated the quality of construction and safety standards.
Subsequently, the Minister reviewed various ongoing developmental works in Jammu Division and gave necessary directions for timely completion of the proposed works.
On this occasion, Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu Vivek Kumar along with all Branch Officers and senior officers of Jammu Division were present.
The Minister informed that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Jammu Division, redevelopment work of several stations including Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Udhampur is being carried out at a rapid pace. Expansion of passenger amenities, increase in freight loading capacity and after the full commissioning of the USBRL section, the work of seamlessly connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country is in its final stage.
He appreciated the work of railway employees and reiterated his commitment to provide better, safe and clean rail services to the passengers.
