India's First High-Speed Rail Test Track Being Built in Rajasthan

11 Mar 2025 CW Team

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

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..