India’s First Indigenous Bullet Trains Set To Roll By 2026: State-Run BEML Secure Rs 866 Crore Contract

State-owned BEML will build India's first indigenously manufactured bullet trains for Rs 866.87 crore.

In a statement on Tuesday (15 October), BEML said that it has been "awarded a contract for the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets, each comprising 8 cars by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai".

"The price of each car is Rs 27.86 crore and the total contract value is Rs 866.87 crore which includes design cost, one-time development cost, non-recurring charges, onetime cost towards Jigs, fixtures, tooling and testing facilities, which will be utilised for all future High-Speed projects in India," the company said.

BEML said that the project marks a significant milestone in India's high-speed rail journey and will see the first indigenously designed and manufactured trainsets with a test speed of 280 kmph.

The trainsets will be built at BEML's Bengaluru rail coach complex and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026.

Featuring a fully air-conditioned, Chair Car configuration, the trains will offer modern passenger amenities such as reclining and rotatable seats, special provisions for passengers with restricted mobility, and onboard infotainment systems.

This comes as India's first high-speed rail corridor - the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project - is expected to begin operations in Gujarat by the end of 2027, and the entire corridor is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

The first phase of the project, the 50 km stretch between Surat and Bilimora, is expected to be completed by August 2026.

The 508 km corridor will feature trains that can operate at a maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour. The trains will be equipped with Japanese Shinkansen technology, and will feature amenities such as business-class lounges, waiting areas, and restrooms.

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