Katra-Banihal Section Speed Increased to 100 Kmph, Vande Bharat Sets New Record
Railways has achieved a major milestone on the Jammu and Kashmir railway network, with the maximum permissible speed on the 111-kilometre-long Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the increased speed was successfully tested today. During the trial, Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26404) crossed both the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge, at a speed of 100 kmph.The development marks an important step for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which is aimed at improving rail connectivity in the region. The higher permissible speed is expected to make train operations on this challenging section smoother and more efficient.The speed enhancement will also help reduce travel time for passengers travelling between Katra and Banihal. With Vande Bharat successfully operating at the increased speed, passengers are expected to benefit from faster, safer and more comfortable journeys.The achievement also highlights the growing operational capabilities of Indian Railways on the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. The successful test run over the Chenab and Anji bridges represents another significant step in the development of modern railway infrastructure in the region.
