India is advancing negotiations with Japan to accelerate the localisation of bullet train design and manufacturing. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor will feature high-speed trains developed by a consortium of Japanese firms, Kawasaki and Hitachi, targeting speeds up to 300 km/h. Indigenous production is also being pursued, leveraging the Vande Bharat platform, with BEML leading prototype development. Land acquisition is complete, and significant civil infrastructure progress has been reported. Updated signalling systems, including Kavach 4.0, are also in development. The NDA government's efforts have propelled the project forward, aiming for trial runs by early 2026 and further expansion of bullet train corridors nationwide.
India is currently in discussions with Japan to accelerate efforts towards the localisation of design and manufacturing of high-speed trains, commonly referred to as bullet trains. There are also plans to explore indigenous versions of these trains. The broader objective is to indigenise the production of bullet trains, including their advanced signalling systems, as revealed by an official familiar with the negotiations.
These high-speed trains are planned to operate on standard gauge tracks and dedicated corridors, unlike the broad-gauge lines presently used in the Indian Railways network. Two Japanese firms, Kawasaki and Hitachi, have formed a consortium to develop, manufacture, and supply high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. These trains will primarily serve the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.
According to the official, discussions are underway to adapt the design to suit Indian conditions while adhering to the target of commencing trial runs by early 2026. Cost considerations have also been emphasised during the design phase. India's BEML is reportedly developing a high-speed prototype, with each rake estimated to cost approximately INR 30 crore.
The official noted that progress on the bullet train corridor in Maharashtra has gained momentum following the assumption of power by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Complete land acquisition has been achieved, and over 320 kilometres of physical infrastructure work has been completed. Critical components of the project, such as undersea connectivity, are also in progress. Half of the civil work along the existing bullet train corridor is reportedly complete.
The official mentioned that plans for indigenous high-speed trains are expected to build upon the existing Vande Bharat platform. The Railway Board has entrusted the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) with the task of manufacturing bullet trains capable of reaching speeds of 280 km/h. ICF has collaborated with BEML for this project, which carries a total contract value of INR 866.87 crore. The contract includes design and development costs, one-time expenses for jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities.
Furthermore, advancements in signalling systems for these corridors will involve updates to the Kavach system, with the latest version, Kavach 4.0, being developed on the LTE platform.
The official elaborated that India aims to achieve complete self-reliance in producing bullet trains that can operate at speeds of up to 280 km/h, with an average operational speed of 250 km/h. This aligns with the Bharatiya Janata Party's earlier manifesto, which announced plans to initiate feasibility studies for bullet train corridors in northern, southern, and eastern parts of India.
India's bullet train initiative represents a leap towards modernising its rail infrastructure, combining international collaboration with indigenous innovation. With advanced technology, completed groundwork, and government support, the project aims to achieve operational speeds of 250 km/h. This landmark initiative signifies India's commitment to achieving self-reliance in high-speed rail technology while transforming connectivity across the nation.
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