Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently offered a first glimpse into the manufacturing of India's inaugural indigenous bullet train. The B28 trainset, a collaborative effort between Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and BEML, is currently under construction at BEML's Bengaluru facility.
During his inspection, Minister Vaishnaw observed a crucial squeeze test being performed on the train's robust structure, emphasizing that the entire design adheres to rigorous international standards. He highlighted the meticulous engineering involved, from the roof and side walls to the cab and end sections, all designed to withstand the extreme forces, including vacuum effects, generated at high speeds.
Accelerating India's High-Speed Rail Future
The indigenous B28 trainset is engineered for a top speed of 280 kilometers per hour. Track trials for this pioneering train are projected to commence by mid-2027, marking a significant milestone in India's high-speed rail ambitions. Following the B28, plans are already in motion for the B35 trainset, which aims for an even higher design speed of 350 kmph.
Beyond train manufacturing, India's indigenization efforts extend to critical infrastructure. Major components of the high-speed rail electrification system, such as transformers, cross arms, and various wiring, are now being produced domestically. Furthermore, the J-slab ballastless track system, adapted from Japanese high-speed rail technology, is being manufactured by Indian engineers at local casting yards for the first time.
New Corridors and Investment
The Union Budget 2026-27 outlined ambitious plans for seven new high-speed rail corridors, spanning approximately 4,000 kilometers with an estimated investment of around Rs 16 lakh crore. These proposed corridors aim to significantly reduce travel times across major Indian cities, including:
- Mumbai–Pune (48 minutes)
- Chennai–Bengaluru (1 hour 13 minutes)
- Delhi–Varanasi (3 hours 50 minutes)
- Bengaluru–Hyderabad
- Chennai–Hyderabad
- Pune–Hyderabad
- Varanasi–Patna–Siliguri
The first operational high-speed rail service in India is slated to begin in 2027, with the Surat–Vapi section of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor. Subsequent sections of this flagship project are expected to be commissioned in phases, building upon the domestic expertise and supply chain developed through these indigenous efforts.
"The first bullet train we have designed as per international standards. This is the roof wall, this is the side, these are the side walls, and that is the cab. And those are the end walls." — Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
These developments underscore India's commitment to self-reliance in advanced railway technology, paving the way for a transformative high-speed transportation network.