Vande Bharat Train Achieves 100 km/h on World's Highest Railway Bridge
Historic Speed Milestone for Vande Bharat Train
Representational Image
Jammu, August 20: In a groundbreaking achievement, the Vande Bharat train has successfully operated at a speed of 100 km/h on the world's highest railway bridge, as confirmed by Uchit Singhal, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Jammu, during a press briefing on Thursday.
Singhal highlighted that this speed enhancement will significantly decrease travel time, thereby improving connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.
“This initiative will offer passengers a quicker, safer, and more comfortable journey while simultaneously promoting tourism, trade, and economic growth in the area,” he stated.
For the first time, the Vande Bharat train has reached nearly 100 km/h on the Chenab River bridge, following the Railway Ministry's sanction to raise the maximum speed limit on the Katra-Banihal rail segment.
The Senior Divisional Commercial Manager elaborated that the new approval permits trains to operate at speeds up to 100 km/h on the 111-kilometre Broad Gauge rail section connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal within the Jammu Division of Northern Railway.
Previously, the maximum speed was capped at 85 km/h on the Katra-Sangaldan stretch and 75 km/h on the Sangaldan-Banihal segment. Northern Railway has assured that this speed increase was sanctioned after confirming adherence to all necessary safety protocols.
With the updated speed limit, the travel duration between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal is anticipated to be further reduced.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is recognized as the highest railway bridge globally and is celebrated as a feat of engineering.
Standing at 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the riverbed, it surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters. The bridge spans 1,315 meters and features a steel and concrete deck arch design, engineered to withstand severe winds and earthquakes.
The entire railway project linking Jammu to the Kashmir Valley, known as the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), encompasses a newly constructed track length of 272 kilometers, with the complete rail line extending approximately 324 to 345 kilometers, depending on the specific starting and ending points from Jammu to Baramulla.