BEML to build India's first bullet train

State-owned BEML will build India's first indigenously manufactured bullet trains for Rs 866.87 crore. In a statement to the exchanges, BEML said it has been awarded a contract for design, manufacturing, and commissioning two high-speed trainsets. Each train will have eight cars (coaches) in this order placed by Indian Railways production unit, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.

BEML said these trains will be priced at Rs 27.86 crore per coach. The total contract value includes design cost, one-time development cost, non-recurring charges, onetime cost towards Jigs, fixtures, tooling and testing facilities.

The Railway Board was earlier relying on Japanese technology for the bullet trains to run on the line between Ahmedabad to Mumbai that’s being built. But India may now opt for indigenously developed trains for this route since talks with the Japanese are yet to reach finality.

BEML’s per coach cost is also far lower than Japanese estimates that wanted to bill India over Rs 46 crore per bullet train coach.

According to BEML, this infrastructure will be utilised for all future High-Speed projects in India.

“This project marks a significant milestone in India's high-speed rail journey and will see the first indigenously designed and manufactured trainsets with a test speed of 280 kmph,” BEML said. The Shinkansen E5 series bullet trains, which India wanted to deploy for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, can hit 320 kmph.

ET reported in April 2024 that India is preparing for home-made high speed or Bullet trains.

Globally, high-speed trains are those that ply at over 250 kmph such as the French TGV and the Japanese Shinkansen.

According to BEML, its trainsets will be built at the company’s Bengaluru rail coach complex and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. It will feature a fully air-conditioned Chair Car configuration.

These trains will offer modern passenger amenities such as reclining and rotatable seats, special provisions for passengers with restricted mobility, and onboard infotainment systems.