JAMMU — Marking a major milestone in high-altitude rail operations, Indian Railways successfully operated the Vande Bharat Express at nearly 100 kilometers per hour across the world's highest railway bridge spanning the Chenab River.

The operational trial follows formal approval from the Union Ministry of Railways to increase maximum permissible train speeds across the newly constructed 111-kilometer broad-gauge section connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under Northern Railway's Jammu Division.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager for Jammu, Uchit Singhal, confirmed to press representatives that the speed upgrade applies across the entire Katra–Banihal stretch. Previously, operational speed limits were capped at 85 kmph along the Katra–Sangaldan sector and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal.

"The increase in speed will not only reduce travel time, but will also strengthen the overall connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir," Singhal stated during a press briefing. "Passengers will receive faster, safer, and more comfortable travel facilities, which will directly boost tourism, trade, and regional economic activity."

Ministry officials confirmed that the speed enhancement was authorized after rigorous safety inspections and technical compliance evaluations overseen by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Prior to the operational trial, Northern Railway conducted high-speed test runs using Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) inspection cars at speeds between 110 kmph and 115 kmph along the alignment.

Spanning Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the riverbed—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. The 1,315-meter-long steel and concrete arch structure was custom-engineered to withstand extreme wind velocities up to 266 kmph and high-intensity seismic forces.

The Katra–Banihal section represents the final, most complex leg of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) mega-project. Carved through the rugged terrain of the Pir Panjal mountain range, nearly 97 percent of the 111-kilometer route passes through complex geological tunnels, including India's first cable-stayed rail structure, the Anji Khad Bridge.

Railway officials noted that the reduced transit time between Katra and Banihal enhances passenger throughput along the Jammu–Srinagar corridor, bringing all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India closer to full operational integration.

JAMMU — Marking a major milestone in high-altitude rail operations, Indian Railways successfully operated the Vande Bharat Express at nearly 100 kilometers per hour across the world's highest railway bridge spanning the Chenab River.

The operational trial follows formal approval from the Union Ministry of Railways to increase maximum permissible train speeds across the newly constructed 111-kilometer broad-gauge section connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under Northern Railway's Jammu Division.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager for Jammu, Uchit Singhal, confirmed to press representatives that the speed upgrade applies across the entire Katra–Banihal stretch. Previously, operational speed limits were capped at 85 kmph along the Katra–Sangaldan sector and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal.

"The increase in speed will not only reduce travel time, but will also strengthen the overall connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir," Singhal stated during a press briefing. "Passengers will receive faster, safer, and more comfortable travel facilities, which will directly boost tourism, trade, and regional economic activity."

Ministry officials confirmed that the speed enhancement was authorized after rigorous safety inspections and technical compliance evaluations overseen by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Prior to the operational trial, Northern Railway conducted high-speed test runs using Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) inspection cars at speeds between 110 kmph and 115 kmph along the alignment.

Spanning Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the riverbed—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. The 1,315-meter-long steel and concrete arch structure was custom-engineered to withstand extreme wind velocities up to 266 kmph and high-intensity seismic forces.

The Katra–Banihal section represents the final, most complex leg of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) mega-project. Carved through the rugged terrain of the Pir Panjal mountain range, nearly 97 percent of the 111-kilometer route passes through complex geological tunnels, including India's first cable-stayed rail structure, the Anji Khad Bridge.

Railway officials noted that the reduced transit time between Katra and Banihal enhances passenger throughput along the Jammu–Srinagar corridor, bringing all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India closer to full operational integration.