Bullet Train in India

GS3 – Infrastructure

Context

India’s Ministry of Railways announced that the E10 Shinkansen, the next generation of bullet trains, will be launched simultaneously in India and Japan.

Overview of Bullet Trains

Bullet trains are high-speed rail systems operating at speeds above 250 km/h, providing fast and efficient intercity travel. Japan’s Shinkansen, operational since 1964, is globally regarded as the gold standard, featuring dedicated tracks, streamlined designs, advanced signalling systems, and earthquake-resilient safety infrastructure.

• Current Model: E5 Shinkansen (used for Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR).
• Future Model: E10 Shinkansen (scheduled for India-Japan launch in 2029–30).

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project

• India’s first bullet train corridor (508 km), using Japanese technology.
• Launched in 2017; completion timeline extended from 2022 to 2028 due to land and construction delays.
• Funded by a 50-year soft loan from JICA and implemented by NHSRCL.
• Progress so far includes 310 km of viaducts, 15 river bridges, and a 2.7 km tunnel (part of a 7 km undersea segment beneath Thane Creek).
• The Bandra-Kurla Complex terminal will be India’s first underground bullet train station, situated 32.5 m below the surface.