Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train: India To Get E5, E3 Shinkansen Trains Free From Japan As Inspection Vehicles By Early 2026

Japan plans to offer E5 and E3 series Shinkansen trains to India free of cost as inspection vehicles for the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, Japan Times reported citing sources.

One train set each of the two Shinkansen variants—E5 and E3—will reportedly be delivered to India in early 2026, after they are fitted with inspection equipment.

Both the Indian and Japanese governments plan to roll out the next-generation Shinkansen E10 series for the 508-km high speed rail link between Mumbai and Ahmedabad by early 2030s.

The delivery of the E10 trains will unlikely be in time for the line's partial opening, aimed for August 2027.

Japan is keen to ensure Japanese-made rolling stock is visible on Indian tracks when the line begins operations, given the national pride associated with Shinkansen technology.

The inspection trains will collect data on driving conditions, including the effects of high temperatures and dust, to aid possible future production of E10 trains in India.

India will temporarily deploy upgraded semi-high-speed indigenous trains on the bullet train corridor until E10s are available.

Originally, E5 trains were planned to be adopted for the passenger operations on the high-speed corridor. But delays and rising costs pushed India to consider homegrown alternatives.

To resolve the impasse, Japan offered the E5 and E3 trains for free and pitched the E10s.

India reportedly signaled an intention to basically accept the overture.

Japan is financing about 80 per cent of the bullet train project via low-interest yen loans, with initial cost estimates pegged at 1.8 trillion yen.

With costs escalating, a fresh yen loan package to enable E10 rollout is expected to be announced during PM Modi’s upcoming visit to Japan.

A similar precedent was set with Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail, where Japan supplied a first-gen 0 series Shinkansen free for testing.

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