Srinagar: A few weeks ago, Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared a breathtaking video of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express crossing the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge.
Now, the train has clocked a speed of nearly 100 kmph for the first time while crossing the world’s highest railway bridge, which has been built in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
Previously, trains were allowed to run at a maximum speed of 85 kmph on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section, according to Railway officials.
Recently, approval was granted by the Railway ministry to increase the maximum permissible speed of trains to 100 kmph on the 111km-long new broad gauge rail section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal under Jammu Division of Northern Railway.
Here’s the video clip of Vande Bharat crossing the Chenab bridge at record speed, shared by ANI on X:
#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
According to Uchit Singhal, senior divisional commercial manager, Jammu, higher speed will cut travel time and improve connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir valley.
“The increase in speed will not only reduce travel time, but will also strengthen the connectivity of Jammu-Kashmir. Passengers will get faster, safer and more comfortable travel facilities. This will also boost tourism, trade and economic activities in the region. Railways remains continuously committed to the safety and convenience of passengers,” Singhal told PTI.
Engineering marvel
The Chenab Railway Bridge stands at a height of 359 metres (1,178 feet) above the riverbed. Just how imposing the bridge is can be gauged from the fact that it is around 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.
A marvel of Indian engineering, the Chenab rail bridge is a single-steel arch structure built to handle high-speed winds of up to 266 kmph, and major seismic activity.
Located in one of the most challenging terrains of the Himalayas, the Chenab rail bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2025. It now provides an uninterrupted rail connectivity between the Kashmir valley and the rest of India.
