Mumbai Bullet Train Route to Feature Japan’s Fastest E10 Shinkansen Model
Mumbai’s ambitious high-speed rail project has taken a leap forward with the official confirmation that next-generation Japanese Shinkansen E10 trains will be deployed along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. The decision settles earlier uncertainty over whether India would opt for a locally-manufactured alternative.
Rail officials confirmed the move is part of the strategic India-Japan partnership, under which the E10 trains—capable of reaching 400 kmph—will be introduced simultaneously in both countries. The 508-km corridor is being developed using full Japanese Shinkansen technology, with financial and technical support from Japan. The E10 model marks a significant upgrade over the current E5 trains, offering 25% more speed and enhanced safety features suited to India’s evolving transport landscape. While Indian agencies have begun prototyping high-speed trains domestically, the ministry noted that the Shinkansen system—already proven globally—would set the operational benchmark for India’s bullet train ambitions.
Alongside rolling stock, key infrastructure including a 21-km undersea tunnel between Mumbai’s BKC and Thane has been completed, showcasing progress despite rising costs and earlier delays in land acquisition. Financed through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loans at a nominal interest rate of 0.1%, the project aims to demonstrate how international collaboration can support cutting-edge, eco-friendly transport solutions. JICA is funding 81% of the project’s costs, with the remainder shared by central and state governments. While a firm completion timeline remains unspecified, construction of stations, bridges, and overhead lines is moving at pace. Officials say the project will lay the groundwork for additional bullet train corridors, with feasibility studies already under way in other regions.
The decision to prioritise proven foreign technology reflects India’s desire to meet global standards for safety, speed, and sustainability. Yet the inclusion of indigenous alternatives in future corridors is not off the table, aligning with the broader goals of self-reliance. For now, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train sets a precedent in urban transport transformation—one that could reshape how India connects its cities, reduces carbon emissions, and reimagines public mobility in the decades ahead.