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Corridors for Bullet Train
Context:
The Indian government proposes expanding high-speed train coverage, linking new routes with the Golden Quadrilateral highway network, which connects northern, eastern, southern, and western India.
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- The cost of these new high-speed rail corridors is expected to be about half of the ₹1.65 trillion budget for the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad project. Savings will depend on the level of indigenisation in rail technology.
- Indian Railways’ Integrated Coach Factory in Chennai may be tasked with developing a faster version of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains.
What is a Bullet Train?
- Bullet trains refer to Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed trains, known for their speed and sleek, bullet-like appearance. These trains generally operate at speeds above 250 km/h.
- Origins: The first bullet train was built in Japan to connect various regions with Tokyo.
Key Highlights
- Collaboration with Japan: The government plans to collaborate with Japan to manufacture high-speed trains domestically, leveraging Japan’s advanced bullet train technology, including the Shinkansen trains that run at speeds of 260-320 km/h.
- Mumbai-Ahmedabad Project: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail (MAHSR) project, which is under construction, serves as the pilot for India’s high-speed rail system. The learning curve associated with this project is now reportedly absorbed, and the government is confident about the design.
- Speed of Trains: Current Indian trains like the Vande Bharat Express run at semi-high speeds of 160 km/h, with a new 180 km/h version being tested. The speed limits for these trains are based on the capacity of Indian rail tracks.
- Golden Quadrilateral of High-Speed Trains: The new corridors aim to complete a “golden quadrilateral” of high-speed rail, connecting major metros and making travel faster between them.
Benefits of Bullet Trains in India
- Decongestion: Bullet trains would provide an alternative mode of transport, helping to reduce traffic congestion on roads and highways.
- Boost to Inter-State Travel: Faster trains would encourage more interstate travel and benefit businesses in cities.
- Relieve Railways: Bullet trains would ease the burden on the existing railway system, which currently carries a heavy population.
Procurement Challenges and Cost Comparisons
- Rolling stock procurement from Japan is delayed due to unresolved contractual discussions.
- Japan originally proposed E5 Shinkansen trains (2016) but now plans to supply the advanced E10 Shinkansen version.
- Indian state-run BEML was awarded a contract worth ₹866.87 crore to manufacture indigenous Bullet trains, with a per-coach cost of ₹27.86 crore.
- Japanese Bullet train coaches are estimated to cost over ₹46 crore per coach.
Future High-Speed Corridors
- The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) has identified seven other high-speed rail corridors, including:
- Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been submitted for four high-speed corridors (Delhi-Varanasi, Delhi-Ahmedabad, Nagpur-Mumbai, and Mumbai-Hyderabad).
- One DPR (Delhi-Amritsar) was submitted in July 2024, and two more (Chennai-Mysore and Varanasi-Howrah) are expected in 2024-25.
Future Trends in Bullet Train Corridor Design
- Innovative Materials and Technologies: New materials can enhance track durability and reduce maintenance costs.
- Integration with Other Transportation Forms: Future corridors may connect seamlessly with maglev or hyperloop systems.
- Multi-modal Transportation Hubs: Designing hubs that facilitate transfers between different transport modes enhances overall efficiency.
- Smart Corridors: Implementing AI and IoT technologies can optimise operations, improve safety, and enhance passenger experiences.
