In a first, Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat crosses 100 kmph on Chenab and Anji Bridges

Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train: For the first time, Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat hits 100 kmph on the Chenab and Anji Bridges as the Katra-Banihal section’s maximum speed is raised to 100 kmph.

3 min readUpdated: Oct 2, 2026 06:54 PM IST

Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train: Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train running at 100 kmph on Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir (Image: Ministry of Railways)

Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express train: The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train has achieved a new milestone. For the first time, the train ran at 100 kmph while crossing the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge.

Standing 359 metres above the riverbed, the Chenab Rail Bridge is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. Stretching 1,315 metres across the Chenab River, the massive steel arch bridge has been built to withstand the region’s challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions. It can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kmph and has a designed lifespan of 120 years.

The train also crossed the Anji Bridge at 100 kmph. The Anji Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and is another major structure on the USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) route. It spans the deep Anji River valley, south of the Chenab, connecting the Katra-Banihal section.

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Located around 80 km from Jammu city, the Anji Bridge towers 331 metres above the riverbed and stretches 725 metres across the valley. The bridge is supported by 96 high-tensile cables, with an inverted Y-shaped pylon rising 193 metres above its foundation. 653 km of cable strands has been used in the construction of the bridge.

Also Read | Jammu-Srinagar to get third Vande Bharat train via Udhampur: Union Minister

Vande Bharat runs at 100 kmph

The increased speed was successfully tested using Vande Bharat Express train numbers 26401/26404. The speed test was carried out on October 2 after the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section was increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.

The latest speed enhancement is expected to make train operations on the Katra-Banihal section smoother and help reduce travel time. The Katra-Banihal section is an important part of the USBRL project connecting the Jammu region with the Kashmir Valley.

Sharing a post on X, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the development, calling it a historic day for the rail network in Jammu and Kashmir.

100 km/h over India’s engineering pride! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/4GlR5QJTva

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 2, 2026

Vande Bharat train in Kashmir

Currently, two pairs of Vande Bharat services are operating on the 266-km corridor. The service was initially introduced with eight coaches. However, due to high passenger demand, 16 additional coaches were added earlier this year, taking the total coach count to 20.

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Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory, the Vande Bharat trains in Kashmir Valley can operate in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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