How India is making bullet trains: Ashwini Vaishnaw offers sneak-peek into Mumbai-Ahmedabad rake — Video

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the first public view of India’s first indigenously designed high-speed trainset on Sunday. The vehicle, designated as the B28 Bharat bullet train, is currently undergoing structural testing and final assembly at the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEML) facility in Bengaluru. The train is being developed specifically for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. Vaishnaw toured the BEML Aditya plant, inspecting specialized manufacturing infrastructure including precision-engineered jigs and fixtures used for carbody fabrication. He observed key production stages such as underframe, sidewall, and roof assembly, as well as surface preparation and treatment processes. During his inspection, the minister witnessed a “Squeeze Test” demonstration. This quality assurance procedure subjects the train carbody to controlled compressive and tensile forces to verify its structural strength, rigidity, and dimensional stability. Vaishnaw also examined passenger seats, reviewing their comfort and convenience features intended for high-speed travel. He inspected critical onboard systems, including the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units, couplers, and other mechanical assemblies. The ministry stated that these advanced manufacturing processes are essential to meeting the precision and quality standards required for high-speed rail operations. The B28 trainset is designed to achieve a maximum test speed of 280 kilometers per hour. Its planned operational speed is set at 250 kilometers per hour, although some reports cite a slightly lower operational target of 249 kilometers per hour. Each trainset consists of eight coaches, comprising four motor cars and four trailer cars. The total length of the train is approximately 202 meters. It is configured to carry around 557 passengers, including two dedicated spaces for persons with reduced mobility. Seven of the coaches are standard class with a three-by-two seating arrangement, while one coach is executive class with a two-by-two layout. Driver cabs are located at both ends of the train. An intelligent on-board control system assists the driver in making timely decisions and coordinating with the operations control center. Interior design focuses on passenger comfort and accessibility. Seats offer ample legroom, and wide windows are paired with LED lighting and overhead luggage racks. Power outlets are installed throughout for charging devices, and separate floor-mounted stands accommodate larger bags. Modern bio-digester toilets manage waste with minimal effluent. A sealed, single-piece gangway connects the coaches to facilitate easy movement between cars. A passenger information system displays travel updates via LCD screens in English, Hindi, and regional languages, supplemented by audio announcements. Emergency communication units allow passengers to contact the crew directly. A Wi-Fi-based infotainment system provides access to preloaded entertainment content. Accessibility features include a train floor level aligned with the platform height to ease boarding. Retractable steps integrated into the doors minimize the gap between the train and the station. Wheelchair-friendly doors, dedicated seating, accessible toilets, and Braille-enabled signage are included to assist passengers with disabilities. Each coach is equipped with two HVAC units to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels regardless of external weather conditions. To handle the aerodynamic demands of high-speed travel, particularly regarding air resistance, noise, and pressure changes in tunnels, the train’s nose and body were shaped using Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. BEML, a defense public sector undertaking based in Bengaluru, was awarded the contract to design, manufacture, and commission two high-speed trainsets in October 2024. The award came from the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory. The total contract value is 866.87 crore rupees, which covers design costs, one-time development expenses, non-recurring charges, and the cost of jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities. The price per car is listed at 27.86 crore rupees. BEML aims to roll out the prototype trainset by early next year. According to the Ministry of Railways, the first train is likely to be ready by the first quarter of 2027. Once completed, the indigenously developed trainset will be transported to the Surat depot, which is being developed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited. The train will undergo testing and trial runs at this depot before receiving clearance for commercial operations. The ministry targets August 2027 to make the 97-kilometer Surat-Vapi stretch of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor operational. This section will host the country’s first bullet train service. In a related announcement made on Saturday, Vaishnaw stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the north corridor of the bullet train project. This new route will connect Delhi with Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, and Siliguri, before extending to Guwahati. Vaishnaw noted that construction work, including the development of pillars and girders, would be executed using Indian capabilities. He described the project as fully “Make in India,” emphasizing that it would be built by Indian youth and welders. Vaishnaw provided specific travel time estimates for the northern corridor. Passengers traveling from Delhi to Kanpur could expect a journey duration of one hour and 45 minutes. The trip between Delhi and Agra is projected to take 59 minutes. The Delhi-Lucknow segment is estimated at two hours and 12 minutes, while the journey between Lucknow and Varanasi should take one hour and 21 minutes. The full route from Varanasi back to Delhi is expected to take three hours and 35 minutes. The minister argued that the initiative would create opportunities for young people, middle-income groups, and artisans in small-scale industries. He remarked that the prime minister’s vision for the bullet train would greatly benefit these demographics and that people would remember the initiative for the next century. The announcement coincided with the flag-off of new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between Varanasi and New Delhi.