India’s first high-speed railway test track to be complete by THIS month, trains to test at 220 kmph speed; Here’s all you need to know

Indian Railways will achieve a major milestone with the completion of its first dedicated high-speed test track for trains by the end of financial year 2025-26. The state-of-the-art facility is being developed by the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) and marks a significant step towards strengthening domestic railway research and innovation.

Location and Project Details

The 64-kilometre-long test track is being built between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in Nawa district of Jodhpur Division of Rajasthan, about 70 kilometers from Jaipur. Administratively, the project falls under the North Western Railway (NWR). Built at an estimated cost of Rs 967 crore, the facility is specifically designed for testing and certification of railway vehicles under controlled conditions.

According to North Western Railway officials, around 58 kilometers of the line has already been laid and the remaining work is progressing steadily. The entire project is planned to be completed in March 2026.

Purpose of the High Speed ​​Test Track

The dedicated track will allow Indian Railways to carry out detailed performance, safety and durability tests of trains without disrupting regular passenger or freight services. The facility is being developed to support speeds of up to 220 km per hour, making it suitable for testing new generation trains, advanced locomotives and improved coaches.

RDSO will oversee comprehensive trials including speed verification, braking efficiency, vibration analysis and safety checks. This infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on overseas testing facilities and accelerate the introduction of modern railway technologies.

Driving Rail Innovation

Rail officials say the test track will play an important role in developing research capabilities and improving the reliability of new designs before they are deployed on the national network. It will also support the “Make in India” initiative by ensuring faster certification of domestically produced rolling stock.

The project reflects Indian Railways’ broader drive towards modernisation, higher speeds and improved passenger comfort while maintaining safety as a top priority.

Other Railway Projects in Rajasthan

Apart from the test track, Indian Railways continues to invest heavily in railway infrastructure across Rajasthan. Recently, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw approved the doubling of the 25-km Umra-Debari railway section at a cost of ₹492 crore. This project aims to ease traffic congestion and improve rail connectivity to Udaipur, a major tourist destination.

Once completed, the doubling will enable smoother and faster train movement and strengthen connections between Udaipur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

Looking Forward

With the high-speed test track nearing completion and multiple infrastructure upgrades underway, Indian Railways is positioning itself for a new phase of technological advancement and network efficiency, strengthening its role as the backbone of India’s transportation system.