Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Train Reaches 100 kmph on Chenab and Anji Bridges

Speed Milestone

The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat train successfully hit a speed of 100 kmph while crossing the Chenab Bridge. This steel arch bridge stands 359 metres above the riverbed and is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. The 1,315-metre structure is built to handle heavy winds up to 260 kmph and has a lifespan of 120 years. The train also crossed the Anji Bridge at the same speed of 100 kmph.

Bridge Details And Testing

The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link route. Located roughly 80 km from Jammu city, it towers 331 metres above the riverbed and spans 725 metres. It uses 96 high-tensile cables and an inverted Y-shaped pylon that rises 193 metres. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the news on X, calling it a major day for the rail network in Jammu and Kashmir. The speed test took place on October 2 using train numbers 26401 and 26404 after the permitted speed limit on the Katra-Banihal section went up from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.

Passenger Capacity

Two pairs of Vande Bharat services currently run on this 266-km corridor. These trains started with eight coaches, but workers added 16 more coaches earlier this year to match heavy passenger demand, bringing the total to 20 coaches. The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai built these trains to run smoothly even in freezing temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Context

Railway projects in mountain regions require advanced engineering to cross deep river valleys and handle rough weather safely. Speed increases on tough hill routes help cut travel time between major cities and remote valleys. Better train links also boost local business and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.