India building Rs820-cr railway test track in Rajasthan

India is for the first time developing a dedicated test track to facilitate advanced testing of high-speed rolling stock like the upcoming bullet trains.

The 60-kilometre test track, currently under construction in Rajasthan, will involve a total cost of Rs820 crore and will be ready for trials by December 2025.

The test track, being constructed near Sambhar Lake in the Jodhpur division of the Indian Railways, will run between Gudha and Thathana Mithdi in the Deedwana district. 

The test track will have seven large bridges, 129 small bridges, and four stations - Gudha, Jabdinagar, Nawan, and Mithadi.

The RCC and steel bridges are being built to withstand the vibrations of high-speed trains. The track and the bridges will feature stainless steel components in order to prevent corrosion. 

The test track being constructed to test train’s performance at different speeds, includes sections with curves, designed for both low- and high-speed tests. The track will make possible a realistic assessments of how trains respond to sharp turns at different speeds. The track will facilitate testing of trains with speeds up to 230 kmph, according to a railway ministry release.

The track comprises a 13-km high-speed loop at Gudha, a 3-km quick-testing loop at Nawa, and a 20-km curve-testing loop at Meethadi. Besides, there will be a 7-km twisty track section, which will be used to assess the train’s performance on damaged tracks.

Besides speed testing, the track will also allow assessment of safety and durability of rolling stock as well as the track.

Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Railways is overseeing the project. It will also monitor rolling stock trials.