India Considers Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train For High-Speed Rail Project

India is eyeing Japan’s E10-series shinkansen bullet trains as it develops its flagship high-speed rail project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Kyodo News reported.

Under the plan, 24 train sets consisting of 10 cars each would be supplied, with some production potentially taking place locally. I Photo: East Japan Railway Company (JR East) / Tangerine

Developed by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), the E10 trains can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h and are touted for their safety and technological advancements. India’s proposed high-speed line will span about 500 kilometers and is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to two hours.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to finalize the decision during an upcoming visit to Japan in August for a summit meeting.

Under the plan, 24 train sets consisting of 10 cars each would be supplied, with some production potentially taking place locally. Japan is reportedly preparing a new yen loan package to support the project, which is now expected to exceed earlier cost estimates.

Initially targeted for a 2023 launch, the bullet train project has been delayed by land acquisition issues and local opposition.

The government now aims to begin partial commercial operations in August 2027.

In the interim, it plans to deploy upgraded Vande Bharat semi-high-speed trains. The E10 train sets, which are also being developed for Japan’s Tohoku Shinkansen, are projected to enter service in India by the early 2030s.