RITES Limited has secured a comprehensive maintenance contract worth Rs 105.69 crore for Indian Railways’ first dedicated high-speed test track in Rajasthan. The contract, confirmed through a Letter of Acceptance from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), will cover the upkeep of the facility for 60 months starting from the date the agreement was issued. The test track, located between Gudha and Thathana Mithri stations in the Nawa region of Jodhpur division, is a 64 km specialized corridor designed to evaluate trains and railway technologies at speeds up to 220 kmph. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 967 crore, the facility is approximately 70 km from Jaipur and falls under the administrative control of North Western Railway. The track is engineered to support rigorous testing of rolling stock under near-real operating conditions. It includes seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges, and four stations along its route. The design incorporates a mix of straight sections and curves to enable testing at varying speeds, allowing assessments of stability, safety, braking performance, and overall system reliability. The facility’s development marks a significant step in India’s efforts to modernize its rail infrastructure and advance high-speed rail technology. The maintenance contract ensures the track remains operational and meets evolving technical standards, supporting ongoing research and development initiatives for the Indian Railways.#rajasthan #rites_limited #research_designs_and_standards_organisation #north_western_railway #gudha_thathana_mithri
