The Vande Bharat Express has created a new railway milestone by crossing the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir at a speed of 100 kmph. The train also crossed India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji at the same speed.
The development came after the Railways increased the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal broad-gauge section from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.
The Ministry of Railways shared a video of the Vande Bharat crossing the Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge and described it as the first time the train had crossed both structures at 100 kmph.
According to railway officials, the speed limit was increased after the Railways completed the required safety procedures. The ministry approved the revised speed after the prescribed safety conditions were met in August.
Uchit Singhal, senior divisional commercial manager of the Jammu Division of Northern Railway, said the maximum permissible speed on the Katra-Banihal section had been raised to 100 kmph. He said Vande Bharat train numbers 26401/26404 subsequently set the new operational record by crossing both major bridges at the revised speed.
The Chenab Bridge is one of the most prominent structures on the railway line connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. The bridge spans the Chenab River and is known for its exceptional height and engineering design.
The Anji Bridge, meanwhile, is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and forms another important part of the rail connectivity project in the region.
Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna also confirmed the increase in the speed limit while speaking to reporters in Katra on Friday. He said train speeds in Jammu and Kashmir could be increased further in the future.
Somanna said the earlier speed limit was 75 kmph and had now been raised to 100 kmph. He indicated that the Railways was examining further increases in speed over the coming months.
The minister also highlighted the importance of railway connectivity for transporting essential commodities to and from the Kashmir region. He said large quantities of milk, foodgrains and other goods are transported through the railway network.
The latest speed upgrade is part of efforts to improve train connectivity and reduce travel times on the Katra-Banihal section. The Vande Bharat services are expected to benefit from the higher permissible speed as railway infrastructure and safety systems continue to be upgraded.
The crossing of the Chenab and Anji bridges at 100 kmph marks another significant development in the expansion of modern railway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
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