In a landmark achievement, India is all set to launch its first-ever indigenously built high-speed bullet train by late 2026. The state-owned manufacturing company of Bengaluru, BEML has been contracted to design, manufacture and commission the train.

The train will be designed with a maximum speed of 280 kilometers per hour (kmph) and an operational speed of 250 kmph. It is expected to be ready by December 2026. BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) in Bengaluru, India, has secured a significant contract worth INR 866.87 crore to build the bullet trains. This project is a major milestone in the Indian Railways.

The company has assured that it will provide two high-speed trainsets, each consisting of eight coaches under an order placed by the Indian Railways Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

About Bharat Earth Movers Limited

BEML Limited, formerly known as Bharat Earth Movers Limited is an Indian Public Sector and a manufacturing unit of heavy equipment, including railways, transport, and mining. It is Asias second-largest manufacturer of earth-moving equipment which is manufactured in Bengaluru.

According to BEML, each coach would cost INR 27.86 crore, inclusive of the design cost, one-time development expenses, non-recurring charges, and the costs of jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities.

The train will also feature facilities including air-conditioned chair car configurations with modern facilities including reclining and rotatable chairs, accommodations for passengers with restricted mobility, and onboard infotainment systems.

Indias First preference was Japanese Technology for Bullet Trains

While Indian railways initially considered Japanese technology for bullet trains on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Route, further discussions are underway and havent reached any conclusion.

As an outcome, India may opt for locally developed trains for this project. BEMLs cost per coach is lower than the Rs 46 crore by Japan for the bullet train coaches.

BEML has emphasized that the infrastructure from this project will be utilized for future high-speed rail initiatives throughout India. This project is a major milestone in Indias high-speed rail initiatives, which will exhibit a test speed of 280 kmph.

The Japanese Shinkansen E5 series, for Mumbai-Ahmedabad line can deliver a speed of 320 kmph.

Indias First Hydrogen Train on tracks soon?

Additionally, Indian railways are also gearing up to launch its first hydrogen-powered train, with trial runs to commence in December 2024. This initiative is a part of Hydrogen for Heritage. This initiative aimed to introduce 35 hydrogen trains to the Indian railways. The first train will operate on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. The train named Vande Metro will use Hydrogen fuel to generate electricity, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel engines. This project marks a significant step towards sustainable development and transportation in India. India will join Germany, France, Sweden, and China as the fifth nation worldwide to operate hydrogen-powered trains.

Earlier India also engaged in discussions with Germanys TUV SUD, a globally recognized German Organization. It specializes in testing, inspection, and certification services. The discussions were held in order to conduct a third-party safety audit for Indias first ever Hydrogen train.