2 min readMar 22, 2026 01:18 PM ISTThe project falls under the administrative jurisdiction of North Western Railway (NWR). (Image generated using AI)Indian Railways’ first high-speed test track: RITES has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from Lucknow-based Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for maintaining Indian Railways‘ first high-speed test track in Rajasthan. Developed at a cost of Rs 967 crore, the facility is located between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in the Nawa region of the Jodhpur Division, about 70 km from Jaipur. The project falls under the administrative jurisdiction of North Western Railway (NWR).“RITES has received Letter of Acceptance from Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow for Comprehensive maintenance contract of dedicated test track between Gudha and Thathana Mithri stations of Jodhpur division of NWR,” it said in a statement.Also Read | Railways plans new terminals to ease rush at 151-year-old Jaipur Junction stationThe contract is to be executed over a period of 60 months from the date of issuance of the LoA. The contract value stands at Rs 105.69 crore, excluding GST.High speed railway testing track in IndiaDeveloped by RDSO, the 64-km-long dedicated test track is designed for comprehensive testing of rolling stock. The high-speed test track will support a maximum speed of 220 kmph. It includes building seven major bridges, 129 smaller bridges, and four stations (Gudha, Jabdinagar, Nawan, and Mithadi). The entire project is targeted for completion by March 2026.Udaipur-Asarva Vande Bharat train gets new stoppageMeanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has revised the stoppage of Udaipur-Asarva Vande Bharat Express. This semi-high-speed train was introduced last month.In a statement, Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway said: “For the convenience of rail passengers, the Railways is providing a temporary halt—on an experimental basis and until further orders-for the Udaipur City-Asarva-Udaipur City Vande Bharat Express service at Shamlaji Road Station.”Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd