Bengaluru to build India’s first 250 km/h high-speed train for Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor
The Integral Coach Facory (ICF) announced tenders on september 5 for the construction of two high-speed chair-car trains, with bids due by september 19.
Bengaluru is set to manufacture India’s first domestically produced high-speed train, which will play a significant role in enhancing connectivity on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) announced tenders on September 5 for the construction of two high-speed chair-car trains, with bids due by September 19. These stainless steel trains will reach a maximum speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 250 km/h, making them ideal for use on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.
The train units will be built at BEML’s facility in Bengaluru. U Subba Rao, general manager of ICF in Chennai, noted that BEML is the only company to submit a bid for the production of two eight-car train sets, with the tender expected to be finalized within a week. The limited order size has deterred other manufacturers from participating, and the goal is to complete production in 2.5 years.
While the exact bid amount from BEML-Medha Servo Drives is still unclear, estimates range between Rs 200 crore and Rs 250 crore per train. These trains are intended for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, which is being developed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
The 508 km MAHSR corridor will connect Mumbai in Maharashtra to Ahmedabad in Gujarat, featuring 12 stations and an estimated cost of Rs 1.1 lakh crore. Initially, the plan was to utilize Japanese Shinkansen E5 trains, capable of reaching 350 km/h, with an operational speed of 320 km/h and an average speed of 250 km/h. However, due to high costs quoted by Japanese firms, the Union Ministry of Railways decided to pursue domestic development of high-speed trains.
An official mentioned that with BEML’s expertise in car body construction and Medha’s proficiency in propulsion systems, they aim to create an indigenous high-speed train that meets European standards. Medha’s proven propulsion system is already utilized in Vande Bharat trains, which operate at a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
For this project, Medha will develop a propulsion system capable of reaching 250 km/h, while BEML will design a car body structure to handle those speeds. BEML-Medha also plans to hire a European design consultant for the project.
The first train, designed for a speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 250 km/h, is expected to be completed by December 2026, with trials planned for the Surat-Bilimora section of the MAHSR line.
The train will consist of seven cars with a 3+2 seating arrangement and one executive car with 2+2 seating, accommodating around 174 passengers. Depending on demand, it could be expanded to 12 or 16 cars, built for standard gauge tracks with potential export opportunities in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Medha will manufacture the propulsion system and develop the Train Control and Management System (TCMS) software from its facility in Hyderabad, while BEML will handle final assembly in Bengaluru. Following successful trials, additional orders for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route and other upcoming high-speed lines, such as Delhi-Varanasi and Mumbai-Hyderabad, are anticipated.
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