BEML Secures Rs 8.67 Billion Deal to Build India’s First Bullet Train
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

BEML Secures Rs 8.67 Billion Deal to Build India’s First Bullet Train

State-owned BEML has been awarded a contract to build India’s first indigenously manufactured bullet train, with a total value of Rs 8.66 billion.

According to a statement from BEML, Indian Railways' production unit, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), has placed an order for the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets, each consisting of eight cars (coaches). BEML noted that each coach will cost Rs 270.86 million, with the total contract value including expenses for design, one-time development, non-recurring charges, and the cost of jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities.

In its statement, BEML highlighted that the project represents a major milestone in India's high-speed rail development, with the first locally designed and manufactured trainsets having a test speed of 280 kmph. The Shinkansen E5 series bullet trains, which India plans to deploy on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, can achieve speeds of up to 320 kmph.

A report from April 2024 indicated that India is preparing to develop homegrown high-speed bullet trains. Initially, the Railway Board had been considering Japanese technology for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, but India might now opt for its own trains, as discussions with Japan have not yet reached a conclusion.

Additionally, BEML's per-coach cost is significantly lower than Japanese estimates, with Japan proposing to charge India over Rs 460 million per coach.

State-owned BEML has been awarded a contract to build India’s first indigenously manufactured bullet train, with a total value of Rs 8.66 billion. According to a statement from BEML, Indian Railways' production unit, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), has placed an order for the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets, each consisting of eight cars (coaches). BEML noted that each coach will cost Rs 270.86 million, with the total contract value including expenses for design, one-time development, non-recurring charges, and the cost of jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities. In its statement, BEML highlighted that the project represents a major milestone in India's high-speed rail development, with the first locally designed and manufactured trainsets having a test speed of 280 kmph. The Shinkansen E5 series bullet trains, which India plans to deploy on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, can achieve speeds of up to 320 kmph. A report from April 2024 indicated that India is preparing to develop homegrown high-speed bullet trains. Initially, the Railway Board had been considering Japanese technology for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, but India might now opt for its own trains, as discussions with Japan have not yet reached a conclusion. Additionally, BEML's per-coach cost is significantly lower than Japanese estimates, with Japan proposing to charge India over Rs 460 million per coach.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Three Firms Shortlisted for Rs 332 Million Delhi Metro Contract

Three firms have qualified for the electrification contract D2E-12 of Delhi Metro Phase 4’s Line 10 and Line 5 extension. Line 10 spans 23.622 km, connecting Aerocity and Tughlakabad with 15 stations, while the Line 5 extension covers 12.58 km between Inderlok and Indraprastha with 10 stations.In June 2025, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) invited bids for this contract. The technical bids were opened on 4 August 2025, with four firms submitting proposals. During the evaluation, one firm’s bid was rejected.The three qualified firms are:M/s A.K. Infra ProjectsM/s Kalpataru Projects I..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

L&T Seeks to Sell Hyderabad Metro Stake Amid Financial Losses

Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) has expressed its intention to sell its stake, exceeding 90 per cent, in the L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail project to either the state or central government through a new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), citing operational and accumulated losses.In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), L&T Metro Rail stated that despite repeated follow-ups, the Telangana government has not provided the expected financial assistance. The delay is worsening the financial distress of the concessionaire, making the situa..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Ixigo Launches Delhi Metro Ticketing on Its Trains App

Online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo has partnered with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to launch Delhi Metro ticketing on the ixigo Trains app on 12 September.As part of the collaboration, ixigo Trains now offers QR-based metro tickets with in-app payments. Users can plan and book end-to-end journeys across trains, buses, flights, hotels and now metro services on a single platform.The DMRC operates nearly 400 km of network across more than a dozen lines, making it India’s largest and busiest metro system. In August 2025, it recorded i..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?