Trains to run at 100 kmph on Katra-Banihal section

The Indian Ministry of Railways approved a maximum permissible speed of 100 kmph on the 111-km Katra-Banihal broad gauge section under the Northern Railway’s Jammu Division on 19 August 2026. The section forms part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, or USBRL, which is a major railway project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Katra-Banihal Rail Section

The Katra-Banihal stretch is 111 km long and lies on the broad gauge network of Indian Railways. The route earlier had different speed limits, including 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan stretch and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal stretch.

USBRL Project Features

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is a railway connectivity project in Jammu and Kashmir. The 111-km Katra-Banihal section includes 33 tunnels, which cover 87% of the route, and major engineering structures such as the Chenab Railway Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge.

Speed Trials and Safety Clearance

High-speed train trials on the Katra-Banihal section reached a peak test speed of 110 kmph on 8 January 2025. The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Dinesh Chand Deshwal, inspected the 17-km Katra-Reasi segment on 7 January 2025 for clearance before the trials.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Katra-Banihal section is part of the Northern Railway’s Jammu Division.
• The USBRL stands for Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link.
• The Chenab Railway Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge are key structures on the USBRL route.
• The Commissioner of Railway Safety is the statutory authority that inspects railway sections for operational safety clearance in India.

Operational and Regional Context

The speed upgrade was cleared after prescribed safety and infrastructural audits were completed. The railway authorities linked the speed increase with reduced travel time on the route and with railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.