Japanese Companies Compete for Bullet Train

22 May 2024 CW Team

Japanese giants Hitachi and Kawasaki are competing to supply 24 E5 Series Shinkansen bullet trains for India?s ambitious high-speed rail project. The project aims to connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad with trains travelling at speeds up to 350 km/h, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has invited bids from Japanese companies for the procurement of these high-speed trains, estimated to cost around ?11,000 crore. The project is funded largely by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which mandates sourcing key components from Japan. This move ensures the transfer of cutting-edge technology to India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative.

The bullet train sets will feature advanced safety and comfort technologies, including anti-derailment mechanisms, earthquake resistance, and regenerative braking for energy efficiency. The interiors will be spacious, with configurations to meet varying passenger demands, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, spanning 508 km, is a key infrastructure project expected to revolutionise travel in India. Scheduled for completion by 2027, it promises to significantly cut travel time from the current seven hours by train to just two hours.

This development marks a significant milestone in India?s transport sector, heralding a new era of high-speed rail travel and technological collaboration with Japan.

Technology

28 Oct 2025

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..