News
India's Indigenous Bullet Train: Experts Urge Feasibility Studies Before Scaling Production
India's Ministry of Railways awarded a contract to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) to develop indigenous bullet trains, with the first pair, named B28, slated to run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. While experts appreciate progress on the high-speed corridor, some are cautioning against scaling up production before conducting thorough feasibility tests.
In 2024, India's Ministry of Railways contracted Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) to produce a pair of 250 kmph bullet trains by 2027, supporting 'Made-In-India' initiatives. The first phase of the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is expected to open in August 2027, covering a 97-kilometre stretch from Surat to Vapi. The corridor is being constructed with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to operate Japanese-made 320 km/h bullet trains using Japanese signalling technology. According to a railway official, the ministry opted to develop indigenous trains because obtaining Japanese-made trains presented challenges. Reportedly, Japan offered more advanced E10 Shinkansen trains, expected to be introduced in Japan by the early 2030s, instead of their earlier proposal of E5 Shinkansen trains, which are no longer in production in Japan. The ministry awarded Siemens a contract in 2025 to install a signalling system for the B28 trains.
Key Facts
- The Ministry of Railways awarded a contract to BEML in 2024 to develop indigenous bullet trains.
- The first pair of Indian-made bullet trains, named B28, will run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor.
- The first phase is expected to open in August 2027 on a 97-kilometre stretch from Surat to Vapi.
- The corridor is being constructed with financial assistance from JICA to operate Japanese-made 320 km/h bullet trains.
- The ministry decided to develop indigenous trains due to challenges in obtaining Japanese-made trains.
- Japan offered advanced E10 Shinkansen trains instead of the earlier proposed E5 Shinkansen trains.
- The Ministry awarded Siemens a contract in 2025 to install a signalling system for the B28 trains.
- Some infrastructure experts are advising feasibility tests before scaling up production.