India’s first high-speed railway test track, under construction on the Jaipur-Jodhpur rail route, is set for completion by December this year. Spanning 64 kilometre, the track is designed for testing high-speed trains, regular passenger trains, and freight wagons. Its design incorporates features from railway tracks in the USA, Australia, and Japan.

The track is being built near Sambhar, between Gudha, Thathana, and Meethdi, to meet the technical requirements of Indian Railways. With an estimated cost of Rs 9.67 billion, it will facilitate train speeds of up to 220 km per hour. The project, structured into four phases, is nearing completion, with most of the work already finished.

Phase One involved laying 19.8 km of track, followed by 15 km in Phase Two, 2.7 km in Phase Three, and 26.06 km in Phase Four. The remaining 2.5 km of track in the Sambhar Lake section is expected to be completed soon. Additionally, work on elevating four large bridges and 43 culverts is almost finalised.

The high-speed test track is expected to streamline train testing without disrupting main railway lines. This will ensure that passenger train operations remain unaffected while enabling more efficient high-speed trials. The location was strategically chosen due to its sparse population and the presence of an existing metre gauge line, which reduced the need for extensive land acquisition. The project also includes the development of modern laboratories, residential quarters, and workshops to support railway testing and operations.

News source: Patrika