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India's 1st bullet train: 280 kmph speed, 557 passengers, 8 coaches; top 20 features

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The eight-car trainset measures about 202 metres and is engineered to maintain operating speeds of 249 km/h, with peak testing capabilities reaching 280 km/h. Prototype fabrication is projected to conclude within six months, paving the way for initial trial runs along the Surat-Vapi route by mid-2027. Passenger comfort and accessibility are prioritized through dual HVAC units, bio-digester toilets, and dedicated spaces for travelers with reduced mobility. In addition, the train is built to couple with an identical unit to operate in a high-capacity 16-car configuration.

Key points

  • State-owned manufacturer BEML is producing the domestic high-speed train to achieve test…: State-owned manufacturer BEML is producing the domestic high-speed train to achieve test speeds of up to 280 km/h.
  • Advanced safety and transit integrations include regenerative braking technology alongsid…: Advanced safety and transit integrations include regenerative braking technology alongside noise-dampening coatings and bogie covers.
  • Onboard amenities cater to passengers with Braille signage, Wi-Fi infotainment, emergency…: Onboard amenities cater to passengers with Braille signage, Wi-Fi infotainment, emergency talk-back units, and retractable door steps.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

India's first indigenously developed high-speed bullet train, B28, has cleared an important stage of its safety evaluation and is undergoing the vehicle body shell assessment, commonly called the "squeeze test".

The assessment was carried out at BEML's manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The central public sector undertaking (PSU) is building the country's first two indigenous bullet trains, with each train consisting of eight coaches.

Indian Railways is working towards starting trial runs of the B28 train on the 100-km Surat-Vapi stretch of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail corridor by May-June 2027. Commercial services on this section are expected to commence in August 2027.

What will be special about India’s first bullet train? What are the features that passengers can look forward to? We take a look:

India’s first bullet train: Top 20 features you must know

Designed specifically with Indian operating conditions in mind, Indian Railways says that the train combines engineering capabilities with domestic manufacturing expertise, while placing emphasis on passenger safety and comfort.

- Designed for a maximum testing speed of 280 km/h and an operating speed of 249…

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