In a significant development for India’s first high-speed rail corridor, the Railway Ministry is considering introducing indigenously built bullet trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route due to delays in finalizing the deal for Japanese Shinkansen trains. The indigenous trains, an advanced version of the Vande Bharat series, will have a maximum speed of 280 kmph and are expected to commence operations by 2030.
Initially, the Shinkansen bullet trains were scheduled to debut on the Surat-Bilimora section in 2026 -2027, but the timeline has now been pushed to 2033 for full-scale operations on the corridor. This delay has prompted the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) to explore an alternative: developing India's first homegrown high-speed trains.
NHSRCL Floats Tender For The European Train Control System
Last week, the NHSRCL floated tenders for the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-2 signalling and train control system, signaling a shift away from the Japanese DS-ATC system designed for Shinkansen trains. The ETCS will be installed to support the indigenous bullet trains, and will later be relocated to other corridors when the Shinkansen system is eventually implemented.
According to sources, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a state-owned manufacturer of heavy machinery and railway equipment, will likely manufacture an advanced version of Vande Bharat trains, also known as indigenous bullet trains. BEML, which recently developed a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat trains, is expected to deliver a cost-effective alternative.
"The indigenous trains will operate on the entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor from 2030 to 2033, after which the Shinkansen trains are likely to take over," said the source. "Rolling stock from Japan is expected to arrive by 2033, following the installation of the Japanese DS-ATC signalling system."
Despite earlier setbacks, construction on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor has gained momentum, with rapid progress on tunnels, rail over-bridges, and track laying. The project, billed as India’s most ambitious railway undertaking, has seen extensive efforts to meet revised deadlines.
