Vande Bharat crosses Chenab, Anji bridges at 100 kmph as Katra-Banihal train speed limit raised
He said the Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26404) created a new record by crossing both the world's highest Chenab Bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji Bridge at 100 kmph
On October 1, 2026, a Vande Bharat Express successfully crossed the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji while traveling at 100 kmph, as the maximum speed limit on the 111-kilometer Katra-Banihal broad-gauge rail section was raised. This unprecedented speed was achieved during a test run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal train, marking a significant milestone in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project.
The maximum speed on this section has been increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph, as confirmed by senior divisional commercial manager Uchit Singhal. The Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 26401/26404, demonstrated the capability to safely and swiftly traverse the world's highest railway bridge and India's first cable-stayed bridge at this elevated speed.
The 111-kilometer Katra-Banihal section is a critical and technically demanding portion of the USBRL project, aimed at providing seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. Following approval in August 2026, the increase in permissible speed to 100 kmph was implemented to facilitate smoother train operations, reduce travel time, and enhance passenger comfort on the USBRL project.
The challenging terrain, which includes deep valleys, steep slopes, major rivers, and complex geological formations, necessitated the use of advanced engineering techniques, resulting in the construction of iconic structures such as the Chenab Railway Bridge and the Anji Khad Railway Bridge.
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