The maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Katra-Banihal rail section has been raised from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a historic day for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. The Vande Bharat Express crossed the Chenab and Anji bridges at 100 kmph during a successful test on October 2.

The train, numbered 26401/26404, became the first to cross both landmark bridges at the new speed. The Chenab Bridge is the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the river.

The Anji Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, rising 331 metres above the riverbed.

The speed upgrade is expected to cut travel time between Katra and Banihal and make operations on the corridor smoother and safer.

The Railway Ministry approved the higher speed in August after safety conditions were met. Earlier limits were 85 kmph on Katra-Sangaldan and 75 kmph on Sangaldan-Banihal.

The 111-km section is a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link connecting Kashmir with the rest of India.