In a historic milestone for higher speed connectivity of Kashmir with the rest of India, the maximum permitted speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal railway section has been raised from 75 kmph to 100 kmph.The milestone comes over a year after the section was inaugurated in June 2025. The inauguration marked the completion of an all-weather railway connection linking Kashmir with the rest of India through the Indian Railways network.The higher speed was successfully put to the test today, according to Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26404) set a new record by traversing the world’s highest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge at 100 kmph.
USBRL: About the project
The upgrade is expected to improve the flow of train services across the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)project, cut journey durations and offer passengers a quicker, safer and more comfortable travel experience.Constructed over several years amid the difficult Himalayan landscape, the USBRL project is regarded as a major feat of engineering.Among the most important railway projects undertaken in independent India, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link spans 272 kilometres and has been built at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore. The route cuts through the demanding terrain of the Himalayas.The network comprises 36 tunnels with a combined length of 119 kilometres, along with 943 bridges built to connect mountain passes, ridges and valleys.The project brings previously isolated parts of Kashmir onto the Indian Railways network, opening up better connectivity and supporting trade and tourism across Jammu and Kashmir.
Special Vande Bharat Express for Kashmir
A specially configured Vande Bharat Express service has been introduced between Katra and Srinagar to make the new rail connection more effective.Unlike the regular version, this train has been modified to function in the harsh winter conditions of the Himalayan region. It can continue operating even when the mercury falls to minus 20 degrees Celsius.Features such as heated windshields, advanced heating systems and insulated toilet facilities have been incorporated to maintain passenger comfort and enable services throughout the year.Seismic dampers have been installed to minimise vibrations and improve passenger safety while trains pass through this earthquake-prone area.
Chenab Bridge & Anji Bridge
Standing 359 metres above the riverbed, the Chenab Rail Bridge is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. At this height, it is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. The 1,315-metre-long structure is a vital part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link.Built to withstand difficult terrain and extreme weather, the Chenab Bridge can endure wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour. Its anticipated service life is 120 years.Specially developed structural steel has been used to ensure the bridge performs reliably across temperatures ranging from minus 10 to 40 degrees Celsius.The USBRL project also features the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, built across the difficult Himalayan terrain. The structure crosses the deep Anji River valley, south of the Chenab, and forms an important link along the Katra-Banihal stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line.Situated around 80 kilometres from Jammu city, the Anji Khad Bridge rises against a scenic setting of snow-covered mountains. It measures 725 metres in length and stands 331 metres above the riverbed, with support from 96 high-tensile cables.