Prototype Of 1st Made In India Bullet Train To Be Made By BEML – Trak.in
Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the Bengaluru-based defence PSU, will start manufacturing India’s first bullet train prototype in September 2025. This marks a historic step in the country’s high-speed rail journey, with the project being developed at BEML’s facility already producing Vande Bharat sleeper trains.
Design Work in Full Swing
According to BEML CMD Shantanu Roy, the design phase is currently underway and nearing completion. “The critical design part should be over in a couple of months, and we will start the manufacturing activity by September,” Roy confirmed. The trains will integrate advanced technologies in passenger safety, signalling, Train Control Management Systems (TCMS), welding, and fabrication.
Faster, Cost-Effective, and Made in India
The project was awarded by Integral Coach Factory in October 2023 and involves designing, manufacturing, and commissioning two trainsets of eight coaches each, capable of reaching speeds of 280 kmph. While operating speeds will be 249 kmph, this initiative positions India among global high-speed rail manufacturers.
The cost is projected at Rs 866.87 crore, or Rs 27.86 crore per coach, considerably cheaper than the Rs 46–48 crore per coach of Japanese Shinkansen models.
Timeline and Testing Plans
The first coach is expected by FY26-end, followed by extensive trials including climatic chamber and squeeze tests. Full prototype trials will be held by December 2026 on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor. Once approved, BEML will quickly move into bulk production of 15 additional cars.
Global Expertise, Local Manufacturing
BEML has partnered with global design and validation agencies and will involve independent safety assessors to supervise welding and ensure all protocols are met. The company is also training manpower and scaling up production capacity to support future rail projects.
Backed by Japan, Built by India
The MAHSR project is primarily funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is covering 81 per cent of the cost through an ultra-low interest loan of 0.1 per cent. This partnership, along with BEML’s readiness, will help scale India’s high-speed rail capabilities.
A Glimpse Into the Future
As India pushes forward under the National Infrastructure Pipeline, BEML’s bullet train prototype sets the tone for a more connected, faster, and self-reliant rail future. Seven more high-speed corridors are on the horizon, and BEML is ready to play a key role.
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