India’s First Indigenous Bullet Train Body Frame Prepared for Squeeze Test
India’s first indigenous bullet train is set to begin testing by May or June 2024, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The testing phase is expected to last between two to four months, leading up to the train’s inauguration. Vaishnaw noted that construction is progressing rapidly, with the Surat-Vapi section anticipated to be completed by December 2023.
The minister emphasized ongoing modernization efforts within Indian Railways, including upgrades to operating and reservation systems as well as construction methods. “We are reforming and modernising everything—from operating systems and reservation systems to old construction protocols,” he stated.
Bullet train: First body shell ready for squeeze test
During the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara, Vaishnaw announced that the first body frame of the bullet train has been completed and is currently undergoing a squeeze test. He reiterated that the bullet train would be operational for testing by mid-2024, with the Prime Minister expected to inaugurate it after the testing period. The train is projected to significantly reduce travel time between Vadodara and Mumbai to just an hour and a half.
Vaishnaw also discussed improvements in freight operations, including new wagon designs tailored for transporting salt. He highlighted the completion of several long-pending railway projects, such as the Chenab Bridge and the connectivity project linking Mizoram to the national railway network. Additionally, he noted that 280 railway stations have been redeveloped and 36,000 km of new railway tracks have been laid.
Indian Railways’ ‘Make in India’ bullet train
Indian Railways is advancing a major engineering initiative to develop a high-speed train capable of reaching speeds of 280 km/h by early 2027. The first prototype is scheduled for rollout by March 2027, followed by extensive testing by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The Surat-Bilimora segment of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is expected to be commissioned by August 2027.
The bullet train development is planned in two phases. The initial generation of trainsets will operate at 280 km/h, with future versions aiming for speeds up to 350 km/h. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has awarded BEML Limited an Rs 866.87-crore contract for the design, manufacture, and commissioning of two prototype bullet trains. These trains will be capable of exceeding 250 km/h, with a design speed of 280 km/h.
BEML has established a dedicated ‘Aditya’ High-Speed Rail Complex in Bengaluru for the production of these trains. Each of the two trainsets will consist of eight fully air-conditioned coaches, featuring advanced passenger amenities such as onboard infotainment systems and facilities for differently-abled individuals. The high-speed trainsets, codenamed B-28, will utilize advanced manufacturing technologies and will be designed to withstand India’s heat and dust conditions.
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