New Delhi, 02 October (H.S.): The maximum permissible speed of trains on the 111-kilometre-long Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal rail section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir has been increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. A successful trial of the enhanced speed was conducted on Friday.

During the trial, the Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26401/26404) crossed the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, at a speed of 100 kmph. The two bridges are among the key engineering structures on the Katra-Banihal section of the USBRL.

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on social media platform X that the increase in speed would facilitate smoother train operations on this important section of the USBRL and reduce travel time for passengers. He said the measure would help provide passengers with faster, safer and more comfortable rail journeys.

The change was implemented following the necessary trials and technical evaluation required for raising the maximum permissible speed on the Katra-Banihal section. The enhanced-speed trial was conducted using the Vande Bharat Express, which crossed both the Chenab and Anji bridges at 100 kmph.

The Chenab Bridge, constructed over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, is the world's highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the riverbed. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge and forms a crucial part of the USBRL.

The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. Located on the Katra-Banihal section of the USBRL, the bridge rises approximately 331 metres above the Anji River valley and is supported by a 193-metre-high central pylon.

The increase in the maximum permissible speed from 75 kmph to 100 kmph is expected to enhance operational capacity on the Katra-Banihal rail section. It will also facilitate smoother train operations and provide passengers with savings in travel time.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar