India's First Indigenous High-Speed Train Enters Production

• BEML–Medha will soon begin manufacturing India’s first indigenous high-speed train
• The 250 kmph trains are planned for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor by 2027
• The first prototype is expected by December 2026

According to sources, manufacturing the first indigenous high-speed train for India is about to start as the design phase of the project is almost done. The project is being supervised by the BEML–Medha consortium which has been awarded the contract by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in 2024 to develop two high-speed chair-car trainsets.

The trains are being built for an operational speed of 250 kmph and a maximum speed of 280 kmph, and their deployment on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor is expected to take place by 2027.

“The final design is nearing completion, and manufacturing will begin once it is frozen. We expect manufacturing to start between April and June. Component designs including carbody, bogies, suspension system, and doors are being developed in parallel and are in the final stages”, stated ICF General Manager U Subba Rao.

One trainset will have a total of eight coaches, including seven chair cars and one executive class coach, with pantry and toilet facilities similar to those in the Vande Bharat chair-car trains.

Sources revealed that the design phase is nearing completion, with the Poland-based EC Engineering, the project's design consultant, having provided detailed designs for review and approval. EC Engineering has previously worked with BEML and Medha on the Vande Bharat sleeper train project.

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The global suppliers having proficiency in European high-speed rail systems have been engaged by the project officials so as to comply with the international safety and performance standards, but at the same time, the process of localisation and the gradual development of the domestic manufacturing capabilities are also made possible.

BEML's Bengaluru facility is where the manufacturing is anticipated to start with the creation of carbody shells, while Medha will be in charge of the production of bogies at its Hyderabad plant. Apart from that, Medha is in the process of developing the Train Control and Management System software and integrating Siemens' signaling system with the train.

“Following this, the train will undergo a comprehensive testing and certification programme lasting about seven to eight months, covering static and dynamic trials, safety validations, and high-speed test runs, including trials mandated by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)”, a source added.

The first prototype is thought to be ready by December 2026 and after trials and approvals, the commercial services would probably start on the Surat–Bilimora stretch. Moreover, the consortium might be given a follow-up order for 16 more trainsets.