The maximum permissible speed of trains on the 111-km-long Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section in Jammu and Kashmir has been raised from 75 km/h to 100 km/h, railway officials said. The change is intended to enable faster train services across a difficult Himalayan route containing major tunnels and bridges.

The enhanced speed was successfully tested during operations on the section. Railway officials said the increase would make train movement on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project smoother, while reducing journey times and providing passengers with faster, safer and more comfortable travel.

The Vande Bharat Express, operating as Train No. 26401/26404, crossed the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Bridge at 100 km/h during the test. The railway authorities described the achievement as a significant milestone for the Katra-Banihal stretch, which passes through some of the most challenging terrain in the Himalayas.

The Chenab Bridge in Reasi district is the world’s highest railway arch bridge and rises about 359 metres above the Chenab River. Its completion formed a major part of the railway infrastructure developed to connect the region through the USBRL project and overcome the area’s steep and difficult terrain.

The Anji Bridge, located in Reasi district, is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. It spans the deep Anji Khad and uses a central pylon with a cable-stay system to support the railway deck. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also shared a video of the Vande Bharat Express crossing both bridges on his X account. With the permissible speed now increased, passengers travelling between Katra and Banihal are expected to benefit from shorter journey times and more efficient train operations.