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National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) is a state-of-the-art automotive testing and certification centre developed under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP), a flagship programme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. It occupies approximately 3,000 acres at Pithampur in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, roughly 50 km from Indore on the NH-52 bypass.
NATRAX was included as a notified test agency under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules by MoRTH gazette notification G.S.R. 511(E) in 2019. Its dedicated high-speed, dynamic platform, braking, noise and gradient tracks are used for vehicle type approval testing alongside development and validation work.
The centre's defining asset is an 11.3 km high-speed track — the longest in Asia and among the largest proving grounds in the world — capable of supporting maximum-speed runs of up to 375 km/h. In total NATRAX operates 14 test tracks and 5 laboratories, and holds NABL accreditation under certificate no. TC-10609 with effect from 14 May 2022.
Manufacturers requiring high-speed, braking, gradient, noise and dynamics testing for type approval or development validation.
Electric vehicle makers validating range, thermal performance, battery behaviour and dynamics under real driving conditions.
Suppliers requiring high-speed endurance, wet grip, rolling resistance and durability evaluation on controlled surfaces.
Manufacturers claiming Production Linked Incentive benefits requiring AAT vehicle and component testing certificates.
Manufacturers of construction and off-highway equipment requiring specialised performance and durability testing.
Organisations requiring crash barrier testing, proving ground consultancy and road furniture evaluation.
NATRAX combines regulatory homologation testing with development validation and specialised infrastructure services. We help identify which of its tracks and laboratories your programme actually needs, and book them in the right sequence.
| NATRAX Service | Purpose | Validity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMVR Type Approval Testing | Track-based homologation testing under Rule 126 for notified test scope. | Model life | Mandatory |
| High Speed Track Testing | Maximum speed, constant-speed fuel economy, high-speed durability and stability. | Per report | Regulatory / Dev |
| Braking Performance Testing | ABS and brake performance on multi-friction surfaces including basalt and ceramic. | Per report | Regulatory |
| Pass-By Noise Testing | External noise measurement on a dedicated ISO-compliant noise track. | Per report | Regulatory |
| Gradeability & Hill Testing | Gradient track evaluation of climbing ability, hill start and parking brake. | Per report | Regulatory |
| Vehicle Dynamics Evaluation | Steering pad and dynamic platform testing of stability, handling and ESC behaviour. | Per report | Regulatory / Dev |
| Durability & Fatigue Testing | Fatigue, comfort, gravel and off-road tracks for accelerated durability programmes. | Per programme | Development |
| Battery & Powertrain Lab Testing | Battery test systems, powertrain dyno and instrumentation-based evaluation. | Per report | Regulatory / Dev |
| PLI-Auto AAT Testing | Testing of Advanced Automotive Technology vehicles and components under the PLI scheme. | Per scheme | Scheme-linked |
| Crash Barrier Testing | Evaluation of road safety barriers and containment systems. | Per report | Infrastructure |
| Construction Equipment Testing | Performance and durability evaluation of construction and off-highway equipment. | Per report | Optional |
| Proving Ground Consultancy | Advisory on design and development of test track and proving ground facilities. | Per project | Optional |
PCN Global India manages the full NATRAX engagement — test plan definition, booking through the proving ground management system, vehicle logistics to Pithampur, instrumentation coordination, test witnessing and report closure.
Identification of exactly which regulatory tests and which tracks or laboratories are required, mapped to the applicable CMVR rules and AIS standards.
Customer registration on the NATRAX proving ground management system, test plan submission, slot reservation and fee payment.
Preparation of vehicle technical data, test-condition declarations, instrumentation plans and safety documentation.
Transport of prototypes to Pithampur, running-in, tyre and load condition setup, and pre-test inspection.
Fitment of measurement instrumentation, calibration checks and dry runs to validate the setup before certification runs.
Execution of regulatory and development test runs across high-speed, braking, noise, gradient and dynamics tracks with our engineer present.
Review of raw data and draft reports, resolution of anomalies, re-run planning and issuance of the final NATRAX test report.
Use of NATRAX reports within the wider homologation file and coordination with the certifying agency through to Type Approval and COP.
Timelines assume complete documentation at submission and no major re-test. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete technical files or a failed test requiring design change.
NATRAX requires vehicle technical data and test-condition declarations rather than a full certification dossier, though homologation programmes carry the standard CMVR documentation alongside. We provide a customised checklist for your test plan.
NATRAX is designed to evaluate everything from two-wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles, along with tyres, components and road safety infrastructure.
NATRAX's track and laboratory scope supports the performance-based portions of the CMVR framework. The applicable set depends on category, powertrain and the tests within its notified scope.
| Standard / Rule | Subject | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| CMVR Rule 126 | Type approval by notified test agency | All vehicles & components |
| CMVR Rule 126A | Conformity of Production requirements | All approved types |
| CMVR Rule 120 | Noise limits for motor vehicles | Pass-by noise testing |
| CMVR Rule 96 | Braking system requirements | All vehicle categories |
| CMVR Rule 115 | Mass emission standards (BS-VI) | Constant-speed and RDE support |
| AIS-007 | Format for technical specifications | All type approval files |
| AIS-037 | Type approval & COP procedure for vehicles | All vehicle categories |
| AIS-053 | Automotive vehicle types — terminology | Category classification |
| AIS-041 / IS 11852 | Braking performance of motor vehicles | Braking track testing |
| AIS-021 | Maximum speed determination | High-speed track testing |
| AIS-038 (Rev 2) | Electric power train vehicles — safety and range | M & N category EVs |
| AIS-156 | Specific requirements for L-category EV powertrain | Electric 2W & 3W |
| AIS-039 / AIS-040 | Constant-speed fuel consumption measurement | Fuel economy declaration |
| AIS-153 / AIS-142 | Tyre requirements and rolling resistance | Tyre manufacturers |
| MoRTH Crash Barrier Specification | Road safety barrier containment performance | Infrastructure suppliers |
| PLI-Auto AAT Criteria | Advanced Automotive Technology qualification testing | Incentive claimants |
NATRAX operates 14 test tracks and 5 laboratories on a single campus, letting a full validation programme run without moving the vehicle between sites.
| Facility | Capability Highlights | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| High Speed Track (11.3 km) | Asia's longest; speeds to 375 km/h, max speed, endurance, fuel economy | Full vehicle homologation |
| Dynamic Platform | 300 m steering pad with 1,500 m dynamic test area for stability and ESC | Vehicle dynamics & ESC |
| Multi Friction Braking Track | Basalt, ceramic, high-friction asphalt and polished concrete surfaces | ABS & brake approvals |
| Gradient Track | Graded slopes for hill start, climbing ability and parking brake | Gradeability testing |
| Fatigue Track | Accelerated structural durability over controlled rough surfaces | Chassis & body durability |
| Comfort Track | Ride comfort and NVH evaluation over defined road inputs | Ride & comfort tuning |
| Gravel & Off Road Track | Unpaved and off-road surfaces for all-terrain evaluation | SUVs & off-highway |
| Dry Handling Circuit (4W) | Closed circuit for handling, transient response and limit behaviour | Passenger car dynamics |
| Handling Track for 2 & 3 W | Dedicated circuit for two- and three-wheeler handling evaluation | 2W/3W manufacturers |
| Wet Skid Pad & Noise Track | Wet grip, skid resistance and ISO pass-by noise measurement | Tyres & noise compliance |
| Sustainability Track | Long-duration running for emissions and sustainability programmes | Durability programmes |
| Vehicle Dynamics & Powertrain Labs | Dynamics rigs, powertrain dyno, battery test systems, CAD/CAE, instrumentation | EV & powertrain validation |
Common questions about NATRAX testing, the high-speed track, homologation and proving ground services.
NATRAX (National Automotive Test Tracks) is a government automotive testing and certification centre at Pithampur near Indore, Madhya Pradesh, developed under the NATRiP programme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries. It spans approximately 3,000 acres and operates 14 test tracks and 5 laboratories.
Yes. NATRAX was included as a test agency under Rule 126 of the CMVR by MoRTH gazette notification G.S.R. 511(E) in 2019. Its tracks are used for type approval testing within its notified scope, alongside development and validation work.
The high-speed track is 11.3 km long, making it the longest in Asia and among the largest proving grounds in the world. It supports maximum-speed testing at speeds of up to 375 km/h.
Maximum speed, high-speed durability, constant-speed fuel consumption, brake and ABS performance across multiple friction surfaces, pass-by noise, gradeability and hill start, vehicle dynamics and ESC evaluation, ride comfort, fatigue durability, off-road performance, wet grip, and battery and powertrain laboratory testing.
Yes. NATRAX holds NABL accreditation under certificate number TC-10609, effective from 14 May 2022.
NATRAX is primarily a proving ground — its strength is track-based performance, dynamics and durability testing at a scale no other Indian facility matches. ARAI, ICAT and GARC offer broader end-to-end certification laboratory coverage including crash, emission and component testing. Many programmes use NATRAX for track work and another agency for the balance of the homologation file.
NATRAX is on the Agra–Mumbai Highway (NH-52) next to the Pithampur flyover, Post Khandwa, near Pithampur, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh 454774 — about 50 km from Indore and centrally placed relative to most Indian OEM plants.
Yes. NATRAX runs battery test systems, a powertrain laboratory and vehicle instrumentation facilities, and its tracks are used to validate EV range, thermal behaviour, high-speed performance and dynamics under real driving conditions.
NATRAX provides testing services to evaluate Advanced Automotive Technology vehicles and components under the Production Linked Incentive scheme for Automobiles and Auto Components, which manufacturers need in order to claim incentives.
Realistically 4–8 weeks for high-speed track work, and longer during peak seasons. Programmes needing multiple tracks or specific ambient conditions need more planning. We handle booking, sequencing and logistics so the vehicle and the slot arrive together.
A wasted track slot costs weeks and a prototype. Our consultants define the test plan, book the right tracks in the right order, manage vehicle logistics and instrumentation to Pithampur, witness the runs and close the report — then carry the results through to Type Approval.
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