Jammu, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Northern Railway on Thursday clarified that no train has so far operated at 100 kmph over the Chenab Railway Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, despite approval having been granted to raise the maximum permissible speed on the Banihal–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra rail section to 100 kmph.
The clarification came after reports claimed that a Vande Bharat Express had already crossed the Chenab Bridge at the higher speed. Northern Railway said the approval had been granted for increasing train speeds on the 111-km-long new broad-gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal, but the enhanced speed had not yet been operationally implemented.
“Approval has been given to increase the speed of trains to 100 kmph on the Banihal to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra rail section. No train has been operated at a speed of 100 kmph as of now,” Northern Railway said in its communication to the media.
Earlier, railway officials had said the Vande Bharat train would operate at nearly 100 kmph over the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River. Officials later attributed the conflicting information to a communication gap, clarifying that the approval for such operations had been received, while the actual run at the enhanced speed had not taken place.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal, said the approved speed enhancement would reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir. He said faster rail services would also benefit tourism, trade and economic activity in the region.
At present, the permissible speed is 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal.
Northern Railway said the increase in the permissible speed was approved after compliance with the prescribed safety requirements. The revised limit is expected to further reduce travel time between Katra and Banihal once implemented.
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