JAMMU: The Railways has increased the maximum permissible speed of trains on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to 100 kmph after meeting all prescribed safety requirements.
Earlier, trains were allowed to run at 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan stretch and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section.
Railway officials said the move will reduce travel time between Katra and Banihal and improve connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir. The faster service is also expected to benefit tourism, trade and economic activity in the region.
The Katra-Banihal section passes through the rugged Pir Panjal terrain and features major engineering landmarks, including the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. The route also includes 33 tunnels.
The section forms a key part of the USBRL project aimed at providing seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
