Vande Bharats to Run on Bullet Train Corridor until Shinkansens Arrive
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Vande Bharats to Run on Bullet Train Corridor until Shinkansens Arrive

Amid delays in finalizing the deal for the procurement of Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains for India’s first high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, the railway ministry has now invited bids for a signalling system that will enable Vande Bharat trains, with a maximum design speed of 280 kph, to run on this route.

Initially, the ministry had stated that Shinkansen trains would make their debut on the Surat-Bilimora section by August 2026. However, it has become clear that these high-speed trains may not be a reality until after 2030. According to sources, the complete operation of Shinkansen trains along the entire corridor—whose foundation stone was laid in September 2017—will only happen by 2033.

This became apparent when the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHRSCL) published the tender for the signalling system required for Vande Bharat trains. The tender outlines that the successful bidder will need to design, manufacture, supply, install, and maintain the signalling and train control system, which will use the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-2. This is distinct from the Japanese DS-ATC signalling used for Shinkansen trains.

The contract period for ETCS-2 is seven years from the date of work award. Sources mention that deploying the ETCS-2 system will ensure the infrastructure is utilized efficiently. The plan is to start commercial operations of Vande Bharat trains on this track by 2027.

“There is no point in leaving this capital-intensive project unused while waiting for the Japanese trains. Once Vande Bharat trains are operational, the installation of the Japanese signalling system for Shinkansen can proceed. The timeline for introducing the E-10 series trains (an advanced version of bullet trains) in 2030 or later will be determined once trains suitable for Indian conditions are available,” a source said.

As per the plan, once the Shinkansen trains are fully operational, the advanced versions of Vande Bharat trains and the ETCS will be shifted to other projects.

Amid delays in finalizing the deal for the procurement of Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains for India’s first high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, the railway ministry has now invited bids for a signalling system that will enable Vande Bharat trains, with a maximum design speed of 280 kph, to run on this route. Initially, the ministry had stated that Shinkansen trains would make their debut on the Surat-Bilimora section by August 2026. However, it has become clear that these high-speed trains may not be a reality until after 2030. According to sources, the complete operation of Shinkansen trains along the entire corridor—whose foundation stone was laid in September 2017—will only happen by 2033. This became apparent when the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHRSCL) published the tender for the signalling system required for Vande Bharat trains. The tender outlines that the successful bidder will need to design, manufacture, supply, install, and maintain the signalling and train control system, which will use the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-2. This is distinct from the Japanese DS-ATC signalling used for Shinkansen trains. The contract period for ETCS-2 is seven years from the date of work award. Sources mention that deploying the ETCS-2 system will ensure the infrastructure is utilized efficiently. The plan is to start commercial operations of Vande Bharat trains on this track by 2027. “There is no point in leaving this capital-intensive project unused while waiting for the Japanese trains. Once Vande Bharat trains are operational, the installation of the Japanese signalling system for Shinkansen can proceed. The timeline for introducing the E-10 series trains (an advanced version of bullet trains) in 2030 or later will be determined once trains suitable for Indian conditions are available,” a source said. As per the plan, once the Shinkansen trains are fully operational, the advanced versions of Vande Bharat trains and the ETCS will be shifted to other projects.

Next Story
Equipment

Handling concrete better

Efficiently handling the transportation and placement of concrete is essential to help maintain the quality of construction, meet project timelines by minimising downtimes, and reduce costs – by 5 to 15 per cent, according to Sandeep Jain, Director, Arkade Developers. CW explores what the efficient handling of concrete entails.Select wellFirst, a word on choosing the right equipment, such as a mixer with a capacity aligned to the volume required onsite, from Vaibhav Kulkarni, Concrete Expert. “An overly large mixer will increase the idle time (and cost), while one that ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Elevated floors!

Raised access flooring, also called false flooring, is a less common interiors feature than false ceilings, but it has as many uses – if not more.A raised floor is a modular panel installed above the structural floor. The space beneath the raised flooring is typically used to accommodate utilities such as electrical cables, plumbing and HVAC systems. And so, raised flooring is usually associated with buildings with heavy cabling and precise air distribution needs, such as data centres.That said, CW interacted with designers and architects and discovered that false flooring can come in handy ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

The Variation Challenge

A variation or change in scope clause is defined in construction contracts to take care of situations arising from change in the defined scope of work. Such changes may arise due to factors such as additions or deletions in the scope of work, modifications in the type, grade or specifications of materials, alterations in specifications or drawings, and acts or omissions of other contractors. Further, ineffective planning, inadequate investigations or surveys and requests from the employer or those within the project’s area of influence can contribute to changes in the scope of work. Ext..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?