Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Railway Ministry Approves Faster Trains on Katra-Banihal Section
The Railway Ministry approved faster trains between Katra and Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir.
Trains will eventually be allowed to travel at up to 100 kmph on this 111-kilometre route.
Today, different parts of the route have lower speed limits.
The change can help passengers reach their destinations sooner.
Railways said the necessary safety conditions were met before approving the plan.
Officials also expect the improvement to help tourism, trade and local economic activity.
In another railway project, a converted rail line in Madhya Pradesh was opened and a train service was extended to Birpur.
That service is intended to improve access to Gwalior for rural and tribal communities.
The Railway Ministry approved raising the maximum train speed to 100 kmph on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section.
Current limits are 85 kmph between Katra and Sangaldan and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal.
The increase follows compliance with prescribed safety conditions for higher-speed operations.
Officials expect shorter journeys and more comfortable travel, while supporting tourism, trade and economic activity.
Separately, railway officials inaugurated the gauge-converted Kailaras-Sabalgarh-Birpur section in Madhya Pradesh and extended a train service to Birpur.
- Who
- The Ministry of Railways and Northern Railway’s Jammu Division approved the speed increase.
- What
- The maximum permissible train speed on the Katra-Banihal section will be raised to 100 kmph.
- When
- The articles do not specify when the higher speed limit will take effect.
- Where
- The 111-km Broad Gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- To reduce travel time, improve passenger connectivity and support tourism, trade and economic activity.
- Route
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal
- Route length
- 111 kilometres
- Approved maximum speed
- 100 kmph
- Current Katra-Sangaldan limit
- 85 kmph
- Current Sangaldan-Banihal limit
- 75 kmph
- Railway division
- Northern Railway’s Jammu Division
- Safety status
- Prescribed safety conditions were reported as met before the proposed increase