Case Study: Indian Bullet Train: Riding on High Technology

By 2030, Indian Railway exports to Cross Rs 50,000 crore. Its First bullet train service to start by August 2027, according to Government of India. In January 2026, they launched sleeper services in Vande Bharat Trains. Recent Indian Railways Achievements include in last 11 years, Railways could add 35,000 km new Railway track in the country. This specific Case Study describes the Inception, Plan, Budget, Domestic Manufacturing, Challenges of Indian Bullet Train Project and Indian Railway Exports.

Project Inception: In September 2017, Ground Breaking Ceremony for The India’s First Bullet Train Project Took Place.

First Bullet Train: As on January 2026, According to Railway Ministry, First Bullet Train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be launched in August 2027, in 5 phases covering 508 kms. The Initial phase to start would be between Surat and Bilimora section. Railways is parallelly working on increasing Rolling Stock Capacity and Track Capacity. The 508 km distance will have 12 stations and the distance will be covered in 2 hours and 58 minutes. Free higher luggage limit may be provided for these trains.

Project Technology: Theoretically, the Japanese Bullet Train has 350 km/hour speed. However, it will be Operated at a Speed of 320 km/hour. India’s National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) is Working with Japanese on this Bullet Train Project which uses Japanese Shinkansen Bullet Train System. NHSRCL workers are working on Required Precision Casting for the Provided Japanese Bullet Train System as on 2022. The Bullet Train will Run on Special Tracks known as “Slab Track System”. NHRCL could built 200 to 250 pillars per month in between Surat and Bilimora as on 2022 April. By July 2024, 1.24 kilo meter longest bridge construction in this route was completed. Initially couple of Japanese Shinkansen E5 trains will be Procured. These will be Supported by Domestically Manufactured High Speed Trains from BEML.

Domestic Manufacturing: As on 2025, BEML is manufacturing around 16 Bullet Trains/high speed trains using Imported Japanese Bullet Train Infrastructure. Initially BEML will Produce two pilot high speed trains with 8 coaches each. These high speed trains can run at 280 km per hour. Its operational speed will be 249 km per hour. As on 2025, According to BEML, Squeeze test and Climatic Chamber tests will be carried out as part of testing of the Project to support all climatic conditions.

Project Budget: As on 2022, 80% of Project Funding was Provided by Japan at an Interest rate of 0.1%. It can be paid back in 50 years. Remaining funding will be done by Central Government, Government of Maharashtra and Government of Gujarat. As on 2023 April, The Fourth Stage funding for the project was around $2.1 billion. Domestic Manufacturing of initial two BEML trains will be developed at a Project Cost of Rs 866 crore. With this BEML Domestic Manufacturing, Each Coach will cost Rs 27 crore instead of Japanese coaches which cost Rs 48 crore per coach. Cost Reduction and Quality were the Main Objectives of Domestic Manufacturing.

Project Challenges: As on 2022, The First Bullet Train Project Between Mumbai and Ahmedabad was postponed to be launched from 2023 to 2026. The reason was the delays in Land Acquisition for the Project. Since 2017. The Proposed project faced several challenges such as Political Challenges, Land Acquisition Challenges, and the 2020 Pandemic related delays. As on 2023, 650 people are working near Surat on the Project Round the Clock in 3 shifts towards the Progress of the Project. Zooming Project Costs, Potential Environmental Impact reported by the locals were the other Challenges. Also Making Per Passenger Ticket Cost Affordable to compare with Airfare would be another Challenge for the Operators post Project Launch.

Indian Railway Exports: According to Railway Ministry, India has gained expertise in designing new Suspension System, Propulsion System, and Bogie Technologies. By 2030, Indian Railway Exports to Triple with Good Quality Products at Global Competitive Pricing. India has Now Gained Strong Expertise in Propulsion Technology. Currently India is Exporting Railway goods worth Rs 7,000 crore to UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka. Its major exports include Locomotives, Metro coaches, Passenger Coaches, Bogies, and Propulsion systems.

Project Economics Point of view, The Indian Bullet Train Project is going to create 12 to 15 lakh jobs in the region over Period of time. Once the Project is Successful in Mumbai-Ahmedabad Route, in a Phase wise manner Bullet trains will be introduced to Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Pune, Bangalore-Chennai, Bangalore-Hyderabad and Delhi-Siliguri routes.

Discussion Questions:

Discuss the Project Challenges Encountered and the Right Strategies to Resolve the Challenges in India Bullet Train Project.
Discuss Right Approaches to Reduce Project Costs of Indian Bullet Train Project.
Why do You Think Passengers Prefer Bullet Train Ticket to compare with Flight Ticket? Support the Argument.
What Else Technologies are Needed in India to be a Developed Nation other than Bullet Trains. Discuss.

References:

Case Study: Indian Bullet Train: Riding on High Technology

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