{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Vande Bharat Express Crosses World's Highest Chenab and Anji Bridges at 100 kmph Speed",
  "summary": "Northern Railway has increased the operational speed limit on the Katra-Banihal section from 75 to 100 kmph, successfully running the Vande Bharat Express over the Chenab and Anji bridges.",
  "content": "A major milestone in mountain railway operations was achieved in Jammu and Kashmir as the Vande Bharat Express successfully traversed the world's highest Chenab railway bridge at a speed of 100 km per hour. Situated at a towering height of 1178 feet above the riverbed, the engineering marvel accommodated the semi-high-speed train seamlessly alongside the country's first cable-stayed Anji bridge at the same tested pace. The milestone represents a major step forward for high-speed connectivity across complex Himalayan railway terrain.\n\nSpeed Limit Upgraded on Katra-Banihal Railway Corridor\nThe speed threshold for train services operating under Northern Railway on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section has been formally raised. Across this 111-kilometer stretch, trains previously ran at an upper speed threshold of 75 kmph. Following comprehensive track evaluations and infrastructure readiness checks, the maximum operating speed has now been elevated to 100 kmph. A field trial was executed to validate the higher threshold, during which Vande Bharat Express train number 26401/26404 crossed both the Chenab arch structure and the Anji bridge at the full 100 kmph velocity.\n\n \nMarking the occasion, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X highlighting the 100 kmph run across India's engineering marvel. According to details released by the Ministry of Railways, the speed ramp-up across the Katra-Banihal section forms an integral part of ongoing system improvements along the Northern Railway network.\n\nShorter Travel Duration on USBRL Corridor\nEnhancing track clearance speeds up to 100 kmph will optimize train flow across the challenging Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) undertaking. With trains no longer restricted to 75 kmph over critical sections, journey duration across the valley line will decrease substantially. Commuters can look forward to a faster, safer, and notably smoother travel experience through the mountainous corridor.\n\nPassenger Services Currently Running Across Chenab Bridge\nAt present, a total of 3 passenger services operate across the Chenab railway bridge. The schedule includes the following train pairs\n\n• Train number 26401/26402 Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express\n• Train number 26403/26404 Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express\n• Train number 14687/14688 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal Express\n\nRoute flexibility and passenger accessibility along the corridor saw another enhancement in June when an official stoppage was introduced for the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag station. Prior to that revision, the service observed halts exclusively at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan (Udhampur), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal stations. The introduction of the extra stop alongside the newly verified 100 kmph operating limit delivers improved direct transit for valley travelers.\n\nWhat this means for you\nRaising the permissible speed limit to 100 kmph on the Katra-Banihal section significantly reduces transit times and boosts mountain rail connectivity into the Kashmir Valley.\n\n• Across India: Tourists, pilgrims, and long-distance travelers visiting the Kashmir Valley will experience substantially faster and smoother journeys. Connecting rail links will allow passengers from northern plains to reach central Kashmir with reduced travel duration.\n• In Jammu and Kashmir: Residents and business commuters moving between Jammu, Katra, Reasi, Banihal, and Srinagar will save valuable travel time each day. Improved rail transit directly enhances economic integration and local tourism across regional centers.\n• Ticketing and fares: The speed upgrade carries no fare revision or surcharge on current ticket categories. Passengers booked on operating Vande Bharat and express services benefit immediately from the improved operational schedule.\n• Safety and infrastructure: Successful 100 kmph operations across both the 1178-foot-high Chenab arch and the Anji cable-stayed bridge validate overall structural integrity. The successful validation paves the way for standardizing higher speeds across the USBRL corridor.\n\nWhy this happened\nIndian Railways conducted the high-speed run to validate track strengthening and raise operational speeds from 75 kmph to 100 kmph along the critical Katra-Banihal section.\n\n• Speed limit revision: Trains previously operated under an upper speed ceiling of 75 kmph across the 111-km Katra-Banihal stretch. Following structural verification, railway authorities authorized elevating the ceiling to 100 kmph.\n• Structural capability checks: Running at 100 kmph tested dynamic track response and load distribution across the 1178-foot-tall Chenab arch structure and the Anji cable-stayed bridge. The successful run confirmed both engineering marvels can safely support elevated speeds.\n• Journey time reduction: Northern Railway aims to shrink transit duration into the Kashmir Valley on the USBRL network. Higher clearance speeds allow passenger services to meet tighter schedules without compromising passenger safety.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What speed did the Vande Bharat Express achieve on the Chenab Bridge?\nThe Vande Bharat Express completed a successful operational trial at a speed of 100 km per hour over the Chenab Bridge.\n\n2. How high is the Chenab railway bridge?\nThe Chenab bridge stands at a height of 1178 feet above the riverbed, recognized as the world's highest railway arch bridge.\n\n3. What was the previous speed limit on the Katra-Banihal section?\nThe maximum speed limit on the 111-km Katra-Banihal rail section was earlier set at 75 kmph, which has now been increased to 100 kmph.\n\n4. Which passenger trains currently operate across the Chenab Bridge?\nThree services run over the bridge: train numbers 26401/26402 and 26403/26404 Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, and 14687/14688 Katra-Banihal Express.\n\n5. Which new stoppage was recently added to the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express?\nThe train was granted an additional commercial stoppage at Anantnag railway station in June.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/national/duniya-ke-sabase-unche-chenab-aura-anji-pula-para-100-kimi-prati-ghnte-ki-raphtara-se-nikali-vande-bharat-express-41904",
  "category": "India",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-02",
  "tags": [
    "Chenab Bridge",
    "Vande Bharat Express",
    "Anji Bridge",
    "Indian Railways",
    "Katra Banihal Section",
    "Ashwini Vaishnaw",
    "Jammu Kashmir Railway"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}