India’s Indigenous Bullet Train Body Frame Ready, Trials Likely in 2027

India’s first bullet train body frame developed using indigenous technology by a private company has been completed, with track trials expected to begin by May or June 2027.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement while attending the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ programme in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore during the event.

Body Frame Sent for Testing

Addressing the gathering, Vaishnaw said the body frame of the indigenous bullet train has been completed and sent for a “squeeze test”. The train is expected to enter trial operations on the tracks by May or June next year.

Following the initial trial, the train will undergo rigorous testing for two to four months. After successful completion of the tests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to formally launch the train.

Mumbai-Vadodara Travel Time to Fall

Once operational, the high-speed train is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Vadodara and Mumbai. The journey could take around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the first phase of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, covering the Surat-Bilimora section in Gujarat, is also expected to begin operations next year.

Western Freight Corridor Progress

Vaishnaw also highlighted the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor from Dadri to JNPT. He said the project was conceptualised during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure but progressed slowly later.

According to the Minister, when the Modi government assumed office in 2014, not even one kilometre of the corridor had been completed. The government subsequently addressed issues related to funding, design and land acquisition to accelerate the project.