‘Made in India’ Bullet Train Project: Train Being Readied for 280 Km/Hour Speed With Kavach 5.0 System for Safety
India’s ‘Made in India’ Bullet Train project is gaining momentum as the country accelerates efforts to manufacture its first high-speed rail system domestically. With a significant boost from the NDA government’s recent win in Maharashtra, the project has entered a new phase, with the aim of increasing the speed of the train to 280 kilometers per hour (km/h) and maintaining an operational average of 250 km/h.
Advancements in Technology and Infrastructure
The Made in India Bullet Train will be developed using the existing Vande Bharat platform, which has already proven successful in India’s rail system. The introduction of cutting-edge signalling systems for these corridors will integrate the Kavach 5.0 system, India’s latest automatic train protection technology, providing a new level of safety and security for high-speed rail travel.
According to a report, the Made in India Bullet Train project has gained significant traction, especially with the Maharashtra corridor progressing rapidly. The complete land acquisition has been completed, and over 320 kilometers of the physical infrastructure work is already finished.
Speed Target: Made in India Bullet Train is designed to reach speeds of 280 km/h, with an average operational speed of 250 km/h.
Safety Feature: The Kavach 5.0 technology will ensure enhanced automatic train protection for safer travel.
Infrastructure Update: More than 320 km of physical infrastructure work for the Maharashtra corridor is complete.
Future Expansion and India’s Self-Sufficiency
India’s railway officials are optimistic about the future of the Made in India Bullet Train project. They emphasize the country’s growing capability to manage such large-scale rail projects without relying on foreign manufacturers. The success of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project will serve as a blueprint for future expansion, making India fully capable of manufacturing its own bullet trains.
“India is now ready to single-handedly take up this project in more corridors. The goal is to have our own trains on future corridors,” said a senior railway official. This self-reliance in the production of bullet trains is expected to open up new opportunities for domestic manufacturers.
Additionally, while India seeks to develop its own Made in India Bullet Train technology, the government intends to maintain a collaborative relationship with Japanese suppliers, especially for the provision of modern trains and technology for the MAHSR corridor.
Key Developments in the Project
Production of Trains: Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has been assigned the task of manufacturing the Made in India Bullet Train. These trains will be capable of reaching 280 km/h speeds, with each coach priced at Rs 27.86 crore.
Manufacturing Partner: BEML has been contracted to produce the trains, with a total contract value of Rs 866.87 crore.
Cost Breakdown: The cost includes design, development, non-recurring charges, and expenses for testing facilities, jigs, and fixtures.
Civil works on the MAHSR corridor are now 50% complete, and progress continues steadily as India moves closer to its goal of a fully domestically produced Made in India Bullet Train.
The Path Forward
The Made in India Bullet Train project is set to become a game-changer for India’s transport sector, offering faster, safer, and more efficient travel. With its focus on indigenization and advanced safety features like Kavach 5.0, India is positioning itself to lead the next wave of high-speed rail technology. With plans to expand the network across various regions, the Made in India Bullet Train promises to transform the future of travel in India.
As the infrastructure and technological development continues, India is set to demonstrate that it is more than capable of achieving self-sufficiency in producing high-speed bullet trains that can rival global standards.
