From The Economic Times · Trending Desk · · 2m
India's homegrown bullet trains race toward 350 kmph
India is building indigenous high-speed trains to match Japan's next-generation technology and power seven new corridors across the country.
In brief
India is building indigenous high-speed trains to match Japan's next-generation technology and power seven new corridors across the country. India is manufacturing its own bullet trains rather than importing them, starting with B28 trains at 249 kmph in 2027 and advancing to B35 trains at 350 kmph by 2030. Originally…
India targets 350 kmph trains by 2030
India is developing the B35, a domestically made bullet train designed to reach 350 kmph, matching Japan's next-generation E10 series also launching in 2030.
B28 trains start trials in 2027
Two prototype B28 trainsets with a design speed of 280 kmph will begin trials in the first quarter of 2027, operating at a maximum of 249 kmph on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.
BEML secures 47 train contracts
State-owned BEML has orders for 47 B28 trainsets, including a separate 5,400 crore rupee contract for 15 additional trains, manufacturing them at its Aditya High-Speed Rail Complex in Bengaluru.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor opens in phases
The 508-kilometer corridor connecting 12 stations will be fully operational by December 2030, with an initial section beginning operations in 2027.
Project cost doubles to 2.1 lakh crore
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project's estimated cost has risen to around 2.1 lakh crore rupees, nearly double the original 1.1 lakh crore estimate, due to land acquisition delays and trainset development costs.
India develops homegrown control systems
India is building the Bharat Train Control System to manage train control, speed, and safe spacing on high-speed rail, reducing dependence on imported technology.
Trains designed for Indian conditions
The B28 trainsets feature fully air-conditioned coaches, reclining seats, onboard entertainment and disability facilities, engineered for India's heat, dust and climate requirements.
Seven more corridors in the pipeline
India has announced seven additional high-speed rail corridors including Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Varanasi, with journey times ranging from 48 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes.
Japan shares E10 production timeline
Japan informed India in December 2024 that its E5 series production would end and E10 manufacturing would begin in 2030, with E10 trains entering service around 2034.
What it means
India is manufacturing its own bullet trains rather than importing them, starting with B28 trains at 249 kmph in 2027 and advancing to B35 trains at 350 kmph by 2030.
