India is making significant strides in the advancement of its railway system, with the country’s first dedicated high-speed railway test track slated to be operational by October 2024. The project, located near Navan City Railway Station in Didwana district, Rajasthan, is under construction and is set to enhance India’s railway testing facilities to international standards.
Captain Shashi Kiran, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway (NWR), revealed, “The construction work of the country’s first railway test track in the Nawan of Jodhpur division has been started by the Railways. It is being built in the lines of tracks located in America, Australia, and Germany. With its construction, the country will be able to provide testing facilities of international standard in the field of railways.”
The railway test track, spanning approximately 60 kilometres, is being developed by the Jodhpur division of the North-Western Railway and is expected to cost around Rs 819.90 crore. This dedicated test track is designed to accommodate comprehensive testing facilities according to the international standards for rolling stock.
CPRO NWR stated that upon completion, India will be the first country to possess such advanced testing facilities for railways. The project, undertaken by the Research and Standards Organisation (RDSO), is progressing from Gudha-Thathana Mithri to Nawan railway station in the Jodhpur division of North Western Railway.
Captain Shashi Kiran highlighted, “More than half of the test track construction work has been completed. The construction of this test track will be completed in two phases, with the first phase covering 25 kilometres, including a 95 per cent completed Major Bridge and construction of 34 small bridges for testing purposes.”
The second phase of construction will involve the establishment of workshops, laboratories, and residences. The high-speed dedicated railway track will feature a 23 km long main line, a high-speed 13 km long loop at Gudha, a 3 km quick testing loop at Nawan, and a 20 km curve testing loop at Mithri.
This state-of-the-art test track will facilitate various tests, including those for high-speed, Vande Bharat, and regular trains. Additionally, trials for high-axle load wagons will be conducted on this track, contributing to the progress of Indian Railways and supporting the advancement of high-speed and Duronto trains in the country.
