Indian Railways is taking a massive leap in high-speed rail technology by working on the B35 bullet train project. This new train is being designed to touch a top speed of 350 kmph, making it one of the fastest in the country. Following the progress of the B28 project, the government has shifted focus toward making these high-speed trains completely within India under the Make in India initiative.
What are the key features of the B35 and B28 trains?
The B35 trainset is the next big step for the rail network, featuring a design speed of 350 kmph and an operational speed of 320 kmph. Before this, the B28 train will be introduced, which is designed for 280 kmph. Both these trains are being manufactured indigenously to reduce dependence on foreign technology and speed up project execution across the upcoming corridors.
Important details about the High Speed Rail project
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is seeing rapid progress with the help of National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited. The Ministry of Railways has planned several phases for the rollout of these trains. The first operational section is expected to cover the Surat to Vapi route by August 2027.
| Feature | B28 Trainset | B35 Trainset |
|---|---|---|
| Design Speed | 280 kmph | 350 kmph |
| Operating Speed | 250 kmph | 320 kmph |
| Manufacturer | BEML (Bengaluru) | Indigenous (Planned) |
| Signaling System | ETCS Level 2 | ETCS Level 2 |
| First Corridor | Surat-Vapi | Future Corridors |
| Target Date | August 2027 | Under Development |
Apart from the technical specifications, the government has announced seven new high-speed rail corridors covering over 4,000 kilometers. BEML was awarded the contract to design and manufacture the initial trainsets at its Bengaluru facility. This move comes after challenges in getting rolling stock from Japan, prompting India to build its own high-speed capability.