On 2 October 2026, Vande Bharat train 26401/26404 crossed both the Chenab and Anji railway bridges at a reported 100 km/h. News On AIR said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced a 100 km/h maximum permissible speed on the 111 km broad-gauge section between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal. The speed figure applies to that section, not automatically to every part of the wider Jammu–Srinagar rail route.
What happened on 2 October 2026?
News On AIR reported that Vande Bharat Express train 26401/26404 crossed the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Bridge at 100 kilometres per hour. It attributed the announcement to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who described the crossing as a new record. Hindustan Times reported the event on 3 October and framed it as a first.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Sri Durga Pooje | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The minister’s quoted statement, reproduced by News On AIR, said: “Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26404) created a new record by crossing the world’s highest Chenab Bridge and India’s first cable-stayed Anji Bridge at 100 kilometres per hour.” The “first” and “record” descriptions are attributed claims in the reporting; the available accounts do not independently verify every previous crossing.
Where does the 100 km/h speed limit apply?
News On AIR said the maximum permissible speed had been raised to 100 km/h on the 111 km broad-gauge Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Banihal section. That is the reported scope of the operating-speed change. It should not be read as a claim that the whole Jammu–Srinagar route, or every approach, curve and stretch, is operated at 100 km/h.
#1 Best Overall
The report describes a section speed limit, while the bridge crossing is the event that drew attention. It does not provide the underlying operating authorization document or a separate safety approval record, so the revised limit is best understood as reported by News On AIR and attributed to the ministerial announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does this relate to the Chenab Bridge’s design speed?
The Chenab Bridge is part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link. In a 5 April 2021 release, the Ministry of Railways listed the bridge’s design speed as 100 km/h and its cost as ₹1,486 crore. Those are dated project details: a design specification from 2021 is distinct from the reported 2026 operating-speed change and does not, by itself, establish when or under what authorization trains began operating at that speed.
Quick Recap
What the report does not establish
- It does not give a passenger timetable, fares or booking availability for this service.
- It does not establish that trains travel at 100 km/h over the full Jammu–Srinagar route.
- It does not independently audit the historical “first” or “record” claim.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
