The Indian Ministry of Railways is moving forward with the indigenous development of the B28 and B35 high-speed bullet trains. Manufacturing for the B28 model is currently in progress at the BEML rail coach factory in Bengaluru following a contract from the Integral Coach Factory. These trainsets represent a major step in the country’s plan to create a self-reliant high-speed rail network with locally developed technology.
What are the launch timelines and technical features of the B28 train?
The B28 is India’s first home-grown bullet train project, with the first trainset expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2027. After extensive trials, the railway ministry aims to start commercial operations by August 2027 on specific sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. The train is designed for high efficiency and passenger comfort using modern manufacturing standards.
- Speed: It has a design speed of 280 km/h and will initially operate at 250 km/h.
- Capacity: Each trainset will consist of 8 air-conditioned chair car coaches with rotatable and reclining seats.
- Route: The first phase of operations is planned for the 97 km Surat-Vapi section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor.
- Infrastructure: Excavation for 5 km of the 21 km underground tunnel for the project has been completed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method.
Which new routes are planned for the B35 Bullet Train?
The B35 model is planned as the next generation of indigenous high-speed trains, featuring a design speed of 350 km/h and an operational speed of 320 km/h. This model will be the primary rolling stock for the 4,000 km network comprising seven new corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. These projects aim to connect major cities across Northern, Western, and Southern India.
| Region | High-Speed Rail Corridor Routes |
|---|---|
| North & East | Delhi-Varanasi, Varanasi-Siliguri |
| West & Central | Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad |
| South | Hyderabad-Chennai, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Bengaluru-Chennai |