The Indian Railways has reportedly opted for the E5 series of trains for the nation's inaugural bullet train services set to commence in 2026. The plan entails acquiring a minimum of 18 E5 series Shinkansen bullet trains, with an estimated cost of Rs 70 billion. As part of the agreement, Japan has agreed to share its cutting-edge technology.

The E5 series trains are constructed using Japanese Shinkansen technology, renowned for its unparalleled safety standards in the industry. This technology aligns well with India's diverse topography and climate, having demonstrated a flawless safety record without any accidents attributable to technological failures.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor will utilise bullet trains employing the same technology. The E5 series boasts not only the most advanced crash avoidance system but also an automatic brake application in case of over-speeding.

Initially, the bullet train rakes incorporating this technology will be imported from Japan, with a finalised deal involving a Japanese company, as per sources.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently informed the media about the ongoing progress in the bullet train project. He stated that by 2026, the first bullet train will be operational between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Notably, as of November 21, pillars covering 251.40 km and elevated superstructures spanning 103.24 km have been completed. E-bids have been issued to engage consultants for the ticketing system.

According to a senior railway official, India's bullet train will be built on Japanese technology, with approximately 92% of the high-speed railway track elevated through viaducts and bridges along the 503.09 km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

The bullet train will traverse a viaduct spanning 460.3 km out of 508.09 km, with tunnels covering 25.87 km, including a notable 7 km undersea tunnel and a 12.9 km embankment. Notably, the project is adopting light detection and ranging technology for the first time in an Indian railway project due to its exceptional accuracy, utilising a combination of laser data, GPS data, and flight parameters to provide precise information.