India’s first bullet train design: India and Japan are close to finalising the design specifications for bullet trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor, which will facilitate the tender process.
The Japanese Shinkansen trains are undergoing modifications to suit Indian conditions. The redesign includes enhanced luggage capacity and capability to function in temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. The trains are being adapted to handle India’s dust conditions as well.
“These designs are expected to be formally approved soon,” a senior official told ET. “The seating arrangement may also be reconfigured, with possibly fewer seats per coach than the original design,” the official said.
Bullet Train Plans
The MAHSR corridor’s civil construction has crossed the 50% mark across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Rail welding operations began on Gujarat’s MAHSR viaducts this month. According to an official statement, Japanese-sourced rails extending over 60 km have been installed.
Incidentally, Indian Railways is developing domestic manufacturing capabilities for bullet trains and signalling systems suitable for high-speed rail corridors, whilst continuing imports from Japan.
High-speed trains, such as the French TGV and Japanese Shinkansen, operate at speeds exceeding 250 kmph globally.
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The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has received instructions from the Railway Board to produce bullet trains capable of 280 kmph speeds. ICF has collaborated with BEML for manufacturing these trains, with a project cost of Rs 866.87 crore and individual coach cost of Rs 27.86 crore. The contract includes design expenses, development costs, non-recurring charges, and infrastructure for testing.
BEML plans to manufacture these trainsets at their Bengaluru rail coach facility, with delivery scheduled by 2026. The trains will feature complete air-conditioning with chair car arrangements.
The bullet trains trains will include contemporary amenities like adjustable reclining seats, facilities for passengers with mobility challenges, and entertainment systems.
