The milestone comes after the Railway Ministry approved an increase in the maximum permissible speed of trains to 100 kmph on the 111-kilometre broad-gauge rail section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway, according to ANI.
#WATCH | Reasi, J&K | Vande Bharat train runs at near 100 kms per hour speed for the first time on the world’s highest Chenab Bridge
On the 111-kilometer-long new Broad Gauge rail section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – Banihal under Jammu Division of Northern Railway,… pic.twitter.com/jE0wiRIBkw
— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2026
Vande Bharat speed increased on Katra-Banihal route
Before the revised speed limit came into effect, trains were allowed to run at up to 85 kmph on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Sangaldan section. The permissible speed on the Sangaldan-Banihal section was 75 kmph.
The increase to 100 kmph is expected to reduce travel time between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal. It is also expected to improve rail connectivity and passenger convenience along the strategically important route.
Chenab Bridge becomes a major attraction
The Chenab Rail Bridge, built over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir, is the world’s highest railway bridge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the bridge on June 6.
The bridge has since attracted significant attention, including from passengers travelling to Srinagar by air, who have been able to spot the landmark during their journey.
