RITES Limited has secured a ₹105.69 crore contract for the maintenance of the first high-speed test track of Indian Railways, located in Rajasthan.
The contract has been awarded by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and involves comprehensive maintenance of the dedicated high-speed test track situated between Gudha and Thathana Mithri stations in the Jodhpur division.
The 64-km-long test track has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹967 crore and is designed to support train testing at speeds of up to 220 km/h. This facility is a critical asset for Indian Railways, enabling advanced testing and validation of rolling stock, track systems, signalling technologies, and safety mechanisms under controlled conditions.
The scope of the contract includes end-to-end maintenance activities to ensure the track’s operational reliability, structural integrity, and performance efficiency over the contract period. The agreement will be executed over a duration of 60 months, ensuring sustained upkeep of this high-speed testing infrastructure.
The test track infrastructure comprises seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges, and four stations, forming a comprehensive ecosystem for high-speed rail testing and evaluation. This setup will allow Indian Railways to conduct rigorous trials for next-generation trains and technologies, supporting future advancements in high-speed and semi-high-speed rail systems.
This contract further strengthens RITES’ position as a leading player in railway engineering, consultancy, and maintenance services, reinforcing its expertise in handling critical and high-precision rail infrastructure projects.
The development also aligns with Indian Railways’ broader vision of modernisation, speed enhancement, and safety improvement, as the network moves toward adopting advanced rail technologies and high-speed capabilities.