In a bold move that promises to revolutionise Indian rail travel, Indian Railways has announced its plans to design and manufacture high-speed bullet trains, reaching speeds of up to 280 kmph.
The initiative, part of the "Make in India" campaign, is being spearheaded by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, in collaboration with BEML.
This marks the next phase in the nation's ambitious journey to modernise its railway infrastructure and improve travel efficiency across the country.
On Wednesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the new project in a written reply to Parliament, detailing that these high-speed trains would cost approximately Rs 28 crore per car (excluding taxes).
“This is a highly competitive price compared to other international train sets,” Vaishnaw remarked, emphasising that manufacturing such sophisticated high-speed trains requires cutting-edge technological expertise.
What to expect from India’s new high-speed trains
The new bullet trains will feature state-of-the-art amenities designed to enhance the comfort and safety of passengers.
With sleek, aerodynamic exteriors and sealed gangways, the trains will look as advanced as they are efficient. Inside, passengers will find automatic doors, climate control, CCTV surveillance, mobile charging points, and optimised lighting.
Fire safety systems will also be integrated to ensure passenger security, making these trains not only fast but safe too.
Technical improvements will focus on aerodynamic, airtight car bodies and advanced electrical systems with high-speed propulsion.
The trains will be designed with weight optimisation in mind, allowing for higher speeds and energy efficiency, while the advanced HVAC systems will maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the journey.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project progress
Alongside the new bullet train project, Indian Railways is also making significant strides with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.
Backed by Japanese technical and financial expertise, the MAHSR corridor will span 508 kilometres and connect twelve stations, including major cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara.
The project has already seen impressive progress: 336 km of pier foundations have been laid, with 260 km of girder casting completed.
Notably, construction has also begun on the 21-kilometre undersea tunnel—a significant milestone in the project.
Minister Vaishnaw shared that land acquisition for the project has been completed, with 1,389.5 hectares secured for the development of the high-speed rail corridor.
“The detailed design specifications are currently being finalised, with timelines to follow,” he noted.
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