Jammu, Oct 2: Touching another historic milestone, state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express on Friday created a new record by crossing the world’s highest Chenab bridge and India’s first cable-stayed Anji bridge at 100 km per hour (kmph).
“100 km per hour over India’s engineering pride!” Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on his ‘X’ account, as a tagline along with a video showing Vande Bharat Express crossing Chenab and Anji bridges at an enhanced speed of 100 km per hour.
Describing it as a “historic day”, Vaishnaw shared, “The maximum permissible speed on the 111 km long Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section has been increased from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. The increased speed was successfully tested today.”
“Vande Bharat Express (train number 26401/26404) created a new record by crossing the world’s highest Chenab bridge and India’s first cable-stayed Anji bridge at a speed of 100 kmph. This improvement will facilitate train operations on the USBRL project, reduce travel time and provide passengers with a faster, safer and more comfortable travel experience,” Vaishnaw asserted.
According to railway officials, the enhancement in the maximum permissible speed to 100 km per hour was approved by the railway ministry after compliance of all prescribed safety conditions by the railways in August this year on this crucial section.
Katra-Banihal section, passing through one of the most challenging terrain and geographical formations, has 33 tunnels and twin engineering marvels – Chenab and Anji bridges.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, who was on a visit to Jammu Railway Division, on Friday inspected Chenab and Anji bridges.
During the visit, he conducted a detailed inspection of the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge – the Chenab bridge (359 meters high) and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge – the Anji bridge, constructed under the USBRL project, through window trailing and appreciated the quality of construction and safety standards.
Subsequently, the Minister reviewed various ongoing developmental works in Jammu Railway Division and gave necessary directions for timely completion of the proposed works.
On this occasion, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jammu Vivek Kumar along with all branch officers and senior officers of Jammu (Railway) division were present.
Somanna informed that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Jammu (Railway) Division, redevelopment work of several stations including Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Udhampur railway stations, was being carried out at a rapid pace.
Expansion of passenger amenities, increase in freight loading capacity and after the full commissioning of the USBRL section, the work of seamlessly connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country was in its final stage.
The Minister of State appreciated the work of railway employees and reiterated his commitment to provide better, safe and clean rail services to the passengers.
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