Vande Bharat Train Hits 100 kmph on Chenab Bridge
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a speed limit increase to 100 kmph on the Katra-Banihal rail section following successful Vande Bharat Express trials.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on October 2, 2026, that the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal railway section has increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. The update is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which is designed to provide all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley through challenging Himalayan terrain.
To validate the increase, a Vande Bharat Express train (No. 26401/26404) conducted a successful trial on Friday. The train set a new record by crossing the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, at the new 100 kmph limit.
Vaishnaw described the achievement as a milestone for India's engineering. The Ministry of Railways stated that the speed enhancement will improve operational efficiency, reduce travel time, and provide a safer and more comfortable journey for passengers traveling through the region.
