India Gears Up for Indigenous High-Speed Bullet Train Production

India is getting ready to domesticate the manufacturing of bullet trains and signaling technologies that meet the standards for high-speed trains. These trains will function on upcoming standard-gauge high-speed train routes. The Railway Board has assigned the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) the job of producing a bullet train that can achieve speeds of 280 kmph.

The railway manufacturing unit has teamed up with BEML to create these trains for ₹866.87 crore, with each coach costing ₹27.86 crore. The overall contract value encompasses design expenses, initial development expenses, non-recurring fees, and one-time expenditures for jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing equipment. India and Japan are close to finalising the bullet train design for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor, clearing the path for the tender award.

"These designs are expected to be formally approved soon," a senior official told ET.

Relevant modifications will allow Japan's Shinkansen - or bullet - trains to function in Indian environments. The Japanese trains are being revamped to improve luggage storage capacities. They will be capable of functioning in temperatures higher than 50 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, tackling dust issues in India is an important priority. "The seating arrangement may also be reconfigured, with possibly fewer seats per coach than the original design," the official added.

More than 50% of the civil construction for the MAHSR corridor has been finished, covering Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Rail welding began on the MAHSR viaducts in Gujarat at the start of this month. An official announcement indicated that the rails for this project are sourced from Japan, with more than 60 km already installed.