Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Northern Railway Clarifies Vande Bharat Chenab Bridge Speed Reports
Northern Railway approved faster train speeds on a railway route in Jammu and Kashmir.
Trains can now be allowed to travel up to 100 kmph between Katra and Banihal.
Some reports said a Vande Bharat train had already traveled nearly that fast across the Chenab Bridge.
Northern Railway later said that no train had actually operated at 100 kmph on the bridge yet.
Officials described this as a communication gap about the difference between approval and operation.
The Chenab Bridge is the world’s highest railway bridge and stands 359 metres above the Chenab River.
The railway section is 111 kilometres long.
Faster trains are expected to reduce travel time and improve regional connectivity.
Officials also said the change could support tourism, trade and economic activity.
Northern Railway said no train had yet operated at 100 kmph over the Chenab Rail Bridge.
Other reports and officials said a Vande Bharat train had crossed the bridge at nearly 100 kmph on August 20, 2026.
Approval now permits trains to travel up to 100 kmph on the 111-kilometre Katra-Banihal rail section.
Earlier speed limits were 85 kmph between Katra and Sangaldan and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal.
Northern Railway said the increase followed safety checks and compliance with prescribed conditions.
- Who
- Northern Railway, the Railway Ministry, Vande Bharat and Northern Railway official Uchit Singhal are mentioned.
- What
- The permitted train speed on the Katra-Banihal section was raised to 100 kmph, while Northern Railway clarified that no train had yet operated at that speed over the Chenab Bridge.
- When
- August 20, 2026.
- Where
- The Chenab Rail Bridge and the 111-kilometre broad-gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- The increase was approved after prescribed safety conditions were met and is expected to reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity.
Reports of Completed Run
Northern Railway Clarification
Whether the bridge crossing occurred
Reports of Completed Run
Several reports and some Northern Railway officials said a Vande Bharat train had traveled at nearly 100 kmph over the Chenab Rail Bridge for the first time.
Northern Railway Clarification
Northern Railway said permission had been granted for the speed increase, but no train had operated at 100 kmph over the bridge as of its clarification.
Interpretation of the approval
Reports of Completed Run
Coverage treated the Railway Ministry’s approval and media statements as confirmation of a completed Vande Bharat run.
Northern Railway Clarification
Officials said a communication gap led reporters to understand that the approved operation had already taken place, although the actual operation had not occurred.
Status of future service
Reports of Completed Run
The reports described the near-100-kmph crossing as a historic milestone already achieved.
Northern Railway Clarification
The clarification indicates that the revised limit enables such an operation in the future but does not confirm that it has happened.
- Railway clarification
- Northern Railway said no train had operated at 100 kmph over the Chenab Rail Bridge as of August 20, 2026.
- Reported operation
- Other reports and some officials said a Vande Bharat train had run at nearly 100 kmph across the bridge.
- Approved maximum speed
- The Katra-Banihal rail section now permits trains to operate at up to 100 kmph.
- Section length
- The new broad-gauge Katra-Banihal section is 111 kilometres long.
- Previous speed limits
- The Katra-Sangaldan limit was 85 kmph, while the Sangaldan-Banihal limit was 75 kmph.
- Chenab Bridge
- The bridge stands 359 metres above the Chenab River and is described as the world’s highest railway bridge.
- Expected benefits
- Officials said the higher speed could reduce travel time and support passenger travel, tourism, trade and economic activity.
Sources
No Vande Bharat train operated at speed of 100 kmph on Chenab bridge as of now: Northern Railway
Nearly 100 Kmph On Bridge Higher Than Eiffel Tower! Vande Bharat Speeds Across World’s Highest Chenab Bridge For First Time | Watch Historic Moment Here
No train has been operated at speed of 100 kmph as of now: Northern Railway clarifies on Vande Bharat Express run on Chenab bridge