First look of India's indigenous bullet train revealed for Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw released the first look of India's first domestic bullet trainset, currently under production at BEML's Aditya plant in Bengaluru. The prototype trainset is scheduled for rollout by early next year.

Contract Details

In October 2024, the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory awarded the contract to the defence PSU BEML to design, build, and commission two high-speed trainsets. The total contract value stands at Rs 866.87 crore, with each individual car priced at Rs 27.86 crore, covering design expenses, one-time development costs, non-recurring charges, and tooling facilities.

Timeline and Launch

The Ministry of Railways plans to open the country's first bullet train service on a 97-kilometre stretch between Surat and Vapi along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, targeting an August 2027 launch date. Completed trainsets will move to the Surat depot—built by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited—for rigorous trials and testing before commercial use begins.

Train Specifications

Named the B28 or Bharat-made bullet trainset, the units feature a design speed of 280 kilometres per hour and an operational speed of 250 kilometres per hour. Each trainset consists of eight cars featuring fully air-conditioned Chair Car seating. Passengers will get modern amenities including reclining and rotatable seats, onboard infotainment, and special provisions for travellers with restricted mobility.

Context

India is building its first high-speed rail network to transform inter-city travel and reduce transit times significantly between major commercial hubs. Domestic manufacturing of these advanced trains highlights a major push towards self-reliance in heavy engineering and railway infrastructure.