India The first bullet train in Maharashtra is to run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed corridor. But the deal to purchase Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains is facing significant delays. In such a situation, the Railway Ministry has taken a decision. The ministry has invited tenders for a signaling system that will allow Vande Bharat trains to run at a maximum speed of 280 kmph on this corridor. In such a situation, until Shinkansen trains come to India, high speed Vande Bharat trains can be run on this section.
Japanese bullet trains are taking too long to arrive
The Railway Ministry had earlier claimed that Shinkansen bullet trains would start operating on the Surat-Bilimora segment by August 2026. Now it has become clear that these high speed special trains are not going to become a reality before the year 2030. A Times of India report quoted sources as saying that operation of Shinkansen trains on the entire corridor will not be possible before the year 2033. Its foundation stone was laid in September 2017.
India’s Desi Bullet Train
The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHRSCL) had last week floated the tender for signaling system for Vande Bharat trains on the Bullet Train corridor. These Vande Bharat trains are being developed as India’s indigenous bullet trains. As per the tender document, the successful bidder will have to design, manufacture, supply, install and maintain the signaling and train control system. This will be European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-2, which is separate from Japanese DS-ATC signaling for Shinkansen trains.
Vande Bharat trains will start running from 2027
The contract period for ETCS-2 is seven years from the date of award of work. Sources said the deployment of ETCS-2 on the corridor will ensure utilization of infrastructure. It is planned to start commercial operations of Vande Bharat trains on this track in 2027.
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