Vande Bharat Express Achieves 100 Kmph on Chenab, Anji Khad Bridges
The Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26404) today successfully tested a higher speed of 100 kmph, traversing the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge. This achievement, confirmed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, marks a new record for the train on these critical sections of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The maximum permitted speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal railway section has been increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. This milestone follows the section's inauguration in June 2025, which completed an all-weather railway connection for Kashmir with the rest of India. The Railway Ministry approved this speed enhancement after all prescribed safety conditions were complied with by the Railways in August this year, according to officials cited by News18 India.
The upgrade is set to improve train services across the 272-kilometre USBRL project, which was built at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore. The project, considered a major feat of engineering, aims to cut journey durations and offer passengers a quicker, safer, and more comfortable travel experience through the demanding Himalayan terrain. The network includes 36 tunnels, spanning 119 kilometres, and 943 bridges, connecting mountain passes, ridges, and valleys. This initiative integrates previously isolated parts of Kashmir into the Indian Railways network, fostering better connectivity, trade, and tourism.
A specially configured Vande Bharat Express service has been introduced between Katra and Srinagar, modified to operate in the harsh Himalayan winter, even at minus 20 degrees Celsius. It features heated windshields, advanced heating systems, insulated toilet facilities, and seismic dampers to ensure passenger comfort and safety in the earthquake-prone region. The Chenab Bridge, standing 359 metres above the riverbed, is the world's highest railway arch bridge, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. This 1,315-metre-long structure is designed to withstand wind speeds up to 260 kmph and has an anticipated service life of 120 years. The Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, stretches 725 metres and stands 331 metres above the Anji River valley, supported by 96 high-tensile cables, located about 80 kilometres from Jammu city.
What to watch: Continued integration and expansion of high-speed rail connectivity in challenging terrains.
Editor's note: The article effectively incorporates all key technical details and context provided in the source and supplementary material.
Synthesised from 3 independent reports on the same event. Details are attributed to the outlet that carried them; nothing outside these sources is published.