1 week ago
India’s High-Speed Rail Test Track Nears Completion
India is building a special railway track in Rajasthan for testing trains and railway equipment.
The track is 59 kilometres long and uses broad-gauge rails.
It has different sections for testing trains at high speed, on curves and under other conditions.
A 4.5-kilometre twisted section for static testing has already opened.
More high-speed sections are expected to be finished by September 2026.
The curve-testing section is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
Trains such as Vande Bharat trainsets are expected to begin trials there in 2027-28.
Engineers will also test bridges, signals, tracks and other railway systems at the facility.
Indian Railways’ Rs 967.07-crore dedicated test track in Rajasthan is nearing completion.
The 59-km broad-gauge facility is being developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation near Jaipur.
Its sections include a main line, high-speed loop, accelerated-testing loop, curve-testing loop and twisted static-testing track.
The 31.5-km high-speed stretch and 3-km accelerated-testing loop are expected to be completed by September 2026.
Trials of rolling stock, including semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trainsets, are expected to begin in 2027-28 at speeds of up to 220 kmph.
- Who
- Indian Railways, the Research Design and Standards Organisation, and North Western Railway are involved in developing the facility; Amit Sudarshan provided the project update.
- What
- A 59-km dedicated broad-gauge test track is being built for testing rolling stock, railway equipment and infrastructure.
- Where
- The facility is between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in Rajasthan’s Nawa region, within Jodhpur Division, about 70 km from Jaipur.
- When
- The high-speed stretch and accelerated-testing loop are expected to be completed by September 2026, the curve-testing loop by the end of 2026, and trials in 2027-28.
- Why
- It is intended to provide international-standard testing facilities, support faster adoption of new technology and assess railway equipment before wider deployment.
Key facts
- Project cost
- Rs 967.07 crore
- Track length
- 59 km of dedicated broad-gauge track
- Location
- Between Gudha and Thathana Mithri, Rajasthan
- Track sections
- 23-km main line, 13-km high-speed loop, 3-km accelerated-testing loop and 20-km curve-testing loop
- Completed facility
- A 4.5-km twisted track for static rolling-stock testing has been commissioned
- Other infrastructure
- Seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges and four stations
- Expected trials
- Trials of various rolling stock, including Vande Bharat trainsets, are expected to begin in 2027-28
Quotes
Amit Sudarshan
Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway
“A new BG (Broad Gauge) Dedicated Test Track of 59 Km has been developed between Gudha-Thathana Mithri in Jodhpur Division (about 70 Km from Jaipur) in Rajasthan. India will be the first country to have comprehensive testing facilities of international standards for Rolling Stocks as per UIC-518/EN-14363”
financialexpress.com
indianexpress.com
“Upon completion of this dedicated test track, India will become the first country to possess comprehensive testing facilities for rolling stock that meet international standards in accordance with UIC-518/EN-14363.”
financialexpress.com
indianexpress.com
Sources
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