BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited), a state-owned enterprise, has been awarded a contract worth Rs 866.87 crore to design, manufacture, and commission India's first indigenously manufactured bullet trains. Each of the two high-speed trainsets ordered will consist of eight coaches, with a per-coach cost of Rs 27.86 crore. This contract, placed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, marks a significant step toward the domestic production of bullet trains. The trainsets will be built at the company’s Bengaluru rail coach complex and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. These indigenously developed trains will have a test speed of 280 kmph and will feature a fully air-conditioned Chair Car configuration.
Previously, India was considering Japanese technology, specifically the Shinkansen E5 series capable of speeds up to 320 kmph, for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. However, negotiations with Japan have yet to be finalized, and India is now looking to rely on home-grown technology for future projects.
The cost of BEML’s bullet train coaches is significantly lower than Japan’s estimated cost of Rs 46 crore per coach, which makes this a more economical option for India’s high-speed rail ambitions. This project marks a key milestone in India's journey toward developing its own high-speed rail infrastructure.
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