📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Rangan Datta Wiki
National
Train speed on Katra‑Banihal line raised to 100 km/h, marking a first in J&K
✍️ Daily Excelsior
🗓 03 Oct 2026, 04:31 AM
👁 9
Indian Railways has increased the permissible speed on the Katra‑Banihal section of the Jammu‑Kashmir railway to 100 km per hour, the highest speed recorded on this route so far.
The rail authority has officially raised the maximum permissible speed on the Katra‑Banihal stretch of the Jammu‑Kashmir railway to 100 kilometres per hour. The upgrade, announced this week, makes the line the fastest in the state and is expected to shave several hours off the journey between the pilgrimage town of Katra and the gateway town of Banihal.
The speed boost follows extensive track renewal, modern signalling and the deployment of newer rolling stock on the corridor. Officials said the enhancements meet national safety standards and are part of a broader push to modernise rail infrastructure in the region.
Travelers, especially pilgrims heading to the Vaishno Devi shrine and tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley, stand to benefit from reduced travel times and more reliable services. The move also aligns with the government's emphasis on improving connectivity and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Railway spokespersons indicated that the 100 km/h limit will be monitored closely during the initial months, with further assessments to determine if higher speeds could be introduced in the future.
The speed boost follows extensive track renewal, modern signalling and the deployment of newer rolling stock on the corridor. Officials said the enhancements meet national safety standards and are part of a broader push to modernise rail infrastructure in the region.
Travelers, especially pilgrims heading to the Vaishno Devi shrine and tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley, stand to benefit from reduced travel times and more reliable services. The move also aligns with the government's emphasis on improving connectivity and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Railway spokespersons indicated that the 100 km/h limit will be monitored closely during the initial months, with further assessments to determine if higher speeds could be introduced in the future.