Bengaluru-based BEML is poised to commence production of India’s first indigenous bullet train prototype by September 2025.
This initiative aligns with the nation’s broader vision of sustainable and eco-friendly urban transportation. The project, valued at ₹866.87 crore, encompasses the design, manufacture, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets, each comprising eight coaches. These trainsets are being developed at BEML’s existing facility in Bengaluru, which currently produces Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets. The first prototype is expected to be ready for testing by December 2026.
Designed for speeds up to 280 kmph during testing and an operational speed of 249 kmph, these trains aim to offer a cost-effective alternative to international counterparts. Each coach is priced at ₹27.86 crore, approximately 40% lower than Japan’s Shinkansen coaches, which range between ₹46–48 crore per unit. To ensure compliance with international standards, BEML has engaged globally recognized consultancies for multi-tiered quality assurance, including independent safety assessment, design verification, and advanced welding expertise.
The bullet train initiative is part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, which is being implemented with Japanese official development assistance through JICA, funding 81% of the costs at a concessional loan interest rate of 0.1%. The remaining investment is shared by the central government and the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Ministry of Railways has identified seven high-speed corridors under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), including Delhi–Varanasi, Mumbai–Nagpur, and Chennai–Bengaluru–Mysuru. Detailed project reports for several corridors have already been submitted, signaling a broader rollout of India’s high-speed rail network.
As India accelerates its transformation in the rail and transport sector, industry leaders, technology providers, and policymakers are invited to witness these innovations firsthand at the 5th RailTrans Expo 2025—a premier platform showcasing the country’s vision for smart, sustainable, and high-speed transportation, scheduled to take place on 26th & 27th June 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
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