The first specialized high-speed test track for Indian Railways is nearing completion. This track, spanning approximately 59 kilometers and located between Gudha and Tatana Mitri in Rajasthan, is being built with a total budget of ₹967.07 crore.
According to the railway, testing and trials of various types of rolling stock, including the Vande Bharat train, are expected to commence on this high-speed track between 2027 and 2028. The project is being developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), and the administrative responsibility lies with the North Western Railway (NWR).
This test track is being constructed in the Nava area, which falls under the Jodhpur division, and is situated about 70 kilometers from Jaipur. According to Amit Sudarshan, the Chief Public Relations Officer of NWR, this infrastructure will help the railway implement new technologies more quickly.
The specialized test track project was approved in two phases: the first phase received approval in December 2018, and the second phase in November 2021. The entire complex includes seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges, and four stations: Gudha, Jabdinagar, Nava, and Mitri.
Necessary modifications have been made at the Gudha station to integrate the test track into the existing railway network. The North Western Railway has modified the existing Kyosan electronic interlocking system to connect the specialized RDSO test track. Furthermore, adjustments have been made to the slot control scheme and the indication circuit of all 18 points on the Gudha end, aligning with new safety guidelines and aimed at enhancing operational safety.
This 59-kilometer test track is designed to accommodate several sections for conducting diverse tests. It comprises 23 kilometers of main line and a 13-kilometer high-speed loop at Gudha. A 3-kilometer accelerated testing loop is being built at Nava, and a 20-kilometer curve testing loop is being constructed at Mitri. Moreover, a 4.5-kilometer curved track for static rolling stock testing has already been completed and commissioned.
The railway reports that work on the 31.5-kilometer high-speed section and the 3-kilometer accelerated testing loop is nearly complete, with finalization planned by September 2026. Additionally, the 20-kilometer curve testing loop at Mitri is in an advanced stage, and its commissioning is expected by the end of 2026.
This new infrastructure is intended not only for checking the speed and performance of trains. It will also be used to test track materials, bridges, TRD equipment, signaling systems, and geotechnical parameters alongside rolling stock. Amit Sudarshan emphasized that the new 59-kilometer broad-gauge specialized track between Gudha and Tatana Mitri will be the first in India to possess comprehensive capabilities for testing rolling stock according to international standards such as UIC-518 and EN-14363.
