India&rsquo;s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, commonly known as the bullet train project, is set for a two-phase rollout due to delays in delivering Japanese Shinkansen trains. In the first phase, the government plans to utilize the indigenous Vande Bharat trains to operationalize the corridor. Once the Japanese bullet trains are delivered, they will replace the Vande Bharat trains on this track.
The project, initiated in 2016, has faced numerous delays, primarily due to land acquisition challenges and technical negotiations. While the original plan centered around deploying Japan&rsquo;s E5 Shinkansen trains, Indian Railways has decided to adapt the project for Vande Bharat trains in the interim. The first phase is expected to start operations between 2030 and 2033, with the Shinkansen trains scheduled to join the corridor by 2033.
Indigenous efforts have gained traction, with state-run BEML securing an Rs 866.87 crore contract to manufacture India&rsquo;s first domestic bullet trains. These will cost Rs 27.86 crore per coach, significantly lower than the Rs 46 crore estimated for Japanese coaches. However, under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan terms, only Japanese companies can bid for the rolling stock contracts. Bids from Kawasaki and Hitachi are expected by February 2025, with Japan now proposing the advanced E10 Shinkansen series instead of the older E5.
Construction progress has accelerated, with significant advances in tunnel boring, bridge building, and track installation. Indian Railways plans to use the European Train Control System (ETCS) signaling system during the initial phase, which will later be replaced by Japan&rsquo;s Shinkansen DS-ATC system when the bullet trains are operational.
The corridor, spanning 508 kilometers and connecting 12 stations, will initially serve two types of Vande Bharat train services: a rapid service stopping at Surat and Vadodara (2 hours 7 minutes) and an all-stop service (2 hours 58 minutes). Around 70 daily services will operate, evenly split in both directions, with increased frequency during peak hours.
This dual-phase strategy ensures that India&rsquo;s first high-speed rail project will become functional sooner, even as negotiations with Japanese partners continue. Once fully operational, the corridor aims to transform travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, boosting economic connectivity in the region.

Vande Bharat train to run on bullet train corridor till Shinkansen train arrives

Delayed Bullet Train Project Shifts Focus to Indigenous Trains in Initial Launch

Dual-Phase Rail Rollout: Vande Bharat on Bullet Tracks

Delayed Bullet Train Project Shifts Focus to Indigenous Trains in Initial Launch

January 22, 2025 | 10:33 IST