Our Bureau
Srinagar
The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on Friday achieved a significant railway milestone by crossing the Chenab Railway Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge at a speed of 100 kmph, following an increase in the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. The successful run marks an operational step forward for rail connectivity between the Jammu region and Kashmir Valley.
The Vande Bharat service became the first to cross both landmark bridges at the revised speed. The speed enhancement was tested after the Railways completed the prescribed safety requirements and followed approval for the higher operating limit.
The Chenab Railway Bridge, standing 359 metres above the riverbed, is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. The 1,315-metre-long structure has been designed to withstand challenging weather conditions, including winds of up to 260 kmph. The Anji Khad Bridge, meanwhile, is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Located about 80 km from Jammu, it rises 331 metres above the riverbed and spans the deep Anji valley.
The two structures form part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a major railway project aimed at strengthening connectivity with the Kashmir Valley. Officials said the higher speed is expected to make operations smoother and reduce journey times on the Katra-Banihal section.
The development comes more than a year after the section was inaugurated in June 2025. The latest speed upgrade represents another operational advancement for the railway network serving Jammu and Kashmir.