Jammu, Aug 20: The Vande Bharat train has achieved a new milestone by operating at nearly 100 kmph on the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, marking a significant step towards faster and more efficient rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.
The speed enhancement follows approval by the Railway Ministry to raise the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Katra-Banihal Broad Gauge section under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway.
The revised speed limit is expected to reduce journey time between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal, making rail travel more convenient for passengers travelling to and from the Kashmir Valley.
Earlier, trains were permitted to operate at up to 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section. The higher speed has been approved after the required safety conditions were met.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, standing about 359 metres above the Chenab River, is a landmark engineering achievement. Its massive steel-and-concrete structure has been designed to withstand challenging weather conditions, strong winds and seismic activity.
The faster Vande Bharat service is expected to provide passengers with shorter travel times and a more comfortable journey while strengthening the region’s wider transport network.
Improved rail connectivity is also likely to support tourism, local businesses and economic activity across Jammu and Kashmir by making important destinations more accessible.
The development forms part of the broader Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which has significantly improved rail connectivity with the Kashmir Valley.
The move is expected to further strengthen the role of railways in connecting communities, supporting tourism and creating easier access to economic opportunities across the region.