Bengaluru To Manufacture India's First High-Speed Train, Designed For 280 Kmph For The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor

Bengaluru, known for its technological advancements, is poised to make history by manufacturing India’s first high-speed train. On 5 September 2024, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) issued a tender to build two state-of-the-art high-speed chair-car trains, designed to reach a top speed of 280 km/h and operate at 250 km/h.

After the tender closed on 19 September, BEML (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited) in collaboration with Medha Servo Drives, emerged as the sole bidder, setting the stage for India's leap into the high-speed rail era.

These trains will be part of the ambitious 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, estimated to cost Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

Initially, the corridor was planned to feature Japanese Shinkansen E5 trains, capable of reaching up to 350 km/h. However, due to the high prices quoted by Japanese firms, the Indian government opted to manufacture these high-speed trains domestically.

An official from the railway ministry revealed that BEML, known for its car body manufacturing expertise, will partner with Medha Servo Drives, which has a proven track record in propulsion systems, including the Vande Bharat trains.

“Medha’s propulsion system, which powers the Vande Bharat trains running at 160 km/h, will now be enhanced to achieve 250 km/h,” said the official. The BEML-Medha consortium plans to consult a European design firm to ensure the new trains meet global standards.

The first train, with a design speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 250 km/h, is expected to roll out by December 2026. Trials will begin on the Surat-Bilimora section of the MAHSR corridor.

Medha will handle the development of the Train Control and Management System (TCMS) and propulsion systems from its Hyderabad facility, while BEML will oversee the final assembly in Bengaluru.

“After successful trials, we anticipate more orders for additional trainsets, not only for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route but also for other high-speed corridors like Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Hyderabad, and Bengaluru-Chennai,” the official added, reports Moneycontrol.

Targeting Export Markets

These trains are being built for standard gauge tracks, with the Indian government eyeing export markets in Southeast Asia and Africa.

BEML and Medha's collaboration on this project is a significant step towards enhancing India's capability to build high-speed rail infrastructure, potentially paving the way for more domestic and international orders.

The current tender, estimated to be valued between Rs 200-250 crore per train, is expected to be finalised within a week. Though the initial order is small, BEML is confident of completing the manufacturing within 2.5 years, setting a new benchmark for India’s railway sector.

This domestic development of high-speed trains could mark a turning point in India's rail history, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and showcasing India’s growing technological prowess in high-speed rail manufacturing.