India’s high-speed rail ambitions have received a significant boost as the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor is confirmed to host Japan’s next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet train. In a move being hailed as a milestone in Indo-Japanese collaboration, the advanced train model will be launched simultaneously in both countries by 2030 — a first for Japan’s elite rail technology.
According to railway ministry officials, the strategic partnership with Japan remains robust, despite earlier speculation that India might opt for domestically manufactured trains. Japan’s decision to unveil its flagship rail innovation alongside India marks a major shift in technological diplomacy, showcasing deepening bilateral trust and long-term cooperation in sustainable mobility. The E10 series is being touted as the future of high-speed rail, designed to replace the existing E5 models currently running on Japan’s own Shinkansen network. Capable of reaching speeds close to 320 kilometres per hour, these trains will reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just over two hours, connecting 12 key stations across Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Maharashtra.
The project, launched in 2017, has made notable progress post-pandemic. Officials have confirmed that five of the planned twelve stations have been completed, while major civil works — including the construction of 15 river bridges — are either complete or near completion. The testing phase for the E10 models in India is expected to begin between 2026 and 2027, with commercial services rolling out by 2027 and the official E10 launch in 2030. Japan’s willingness to co-launch its most advanced rail technology with India is being seen as a strategic choice, placing India at the forefront of Asia’s rail modernisation journey. This synchronised deployment is also aligned with India’s broader goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, as high-speed rail is widely recognised as a sustainable alternative to air and road travel.
Senior railway experts stated that such bilateral cooperation not only accelerates the adoption of cutting-edge infrastructure but also strengthens India’s capacity in indigenising future rail systems through technology transfer and upskilling. Moreover, the move reinforces Japan’s confidence in India as a reliable partner for executing complex infrastructure projects at scale. Recent reports suggesting the cancellation of the Japanese partnership were firmly refuted by the Ministry of Railways, which issued a public clarification reaffirming Japan’s central role in the project.
With the E10 bullet train project, India is poised to transform the landscape of public transport, offering a faster, cleaner, and more efficient travel alternative while cementing its place as a key player in the global high-speed rail ecosystem. As work continues on schedule, this landmark venture stands as a testament to India’s future-ready mobility agenda and a shared vision with Japan for sustainable urban development.
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