Archive · 25 Aug 2026
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.
- 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.
- Where
- The facility is between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in Rajasthan’s Nawa region, within Jodhpur Division, about 70 km from Jaipur.
- Why
- It is intended to provide international-standard testing facilities, support faster adoption of new technology and assess railway equipment before wider deployment.
- 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
