Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Vande Bharat Crosses Chenab, Anji Bridges at 100 km/h
A Vande Bharat Express train travelled across two very large railway bridges at 100 kilometres per hour.
The bridges are the Chenab Railway Bridge and the Anji Khad Railway Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chenab bridge is described as the world’s highest railway bridge.
The Anji bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
Trains were previously allowed to travel more slowly on different parts of the Katra-Banihal route.
The Ministry of Railways approved the faster speed in August after safety checks.
A video shared by Ashwini Vaishnaw showed the later run across both bridges.
Officials expect the change to make journeys quicker and improve rail links with the Kashmir Valley.
A Vande Bharat Express crossed the Chenab and Anji railway bridges at 100 km/h on October 2, 2026.
The maximum permitted speed on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section was raised to 100 km/h from earlier limits of 85 km/h and 75 km/h.
The Ministry of Railways approved the speed increase in August after required safety checks were completed.
Northern Railway had previously clarified that no train had operated at 100 km/h across either bridge.
Officials expect the higher speed to reduce travel time and improve connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
- Who
- A Vande Bharat Express, with the run shared by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and discussed by Northern Railway.
- What
- The train crossed the Chenab Railway Bridge and Anji Khad Railway Bridge at the newly permitted speed of 100 km/h.
- When
- October 2, 2026; the higher speed was approved in August 2026.
- Where
- The 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- The speed increase is intended to reduce travel time and provide faster, safer and more comfortable rail connectivity after safety requirements were met.
- Train speed
- 100 km/h across the Chenab and Anji railway bridges
- Rail section
- 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal broad-gauge section
- Previous speed limits
- 85 km/h between Katra and Sangaldan, and 75 km/h between Sangaldan and Banihal
- Approval
- The Ministry of Railways approved the 100 km/h maximum speed in August 2026 after prescribed safety conditions were completed
- Chenab Railway Bridge
- 1,315 metres long and 359 metres above the riverbed; described by the government as the world’s highest railway arch bridge
- Anji Khad Railway Bridge
- India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge
- Project details
- One report says the Katra-Banihal section has 33 tunnels, while another cites 36 tunnels and more than 900 bridges for the wider project
