India is advancing its high-speed rail ambitions with two parallel indigenous projects: the B28 train, designed for 280 km/h and expected to begin trials by 2027, and a next-generation bullet train targeting 350 km/h, with design work set to start within six months.

These efforts mark a major leap in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on imported technology and build a robust domestic ecosystem for ultra-fast rail travel.

India’s Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the country is preparing to develop its fastest-ever train, capable of reaching 350 kilometres per hour. The design process for this advanced platform will commence within the next six months.

This project is expected to evolve into a new “B35” category, specifically tailored for ultra-high-speed operations, and will build upon the expertise gained from the ongoing B28 programme.

The B28 trainset, jointly developed by BEML Limited and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), is designed for operational speeds of up to 280 km/h. The prototype is scheduled for rollout early next year, with trial operations planned on sections of the 508-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor by August 2027.

This corridor, launched in 2016, is being constructed to support trains running at speeds of up to 320 km/h, and its first phase is expected to begin operations in 2027.

India’s first bullet train, currently under manufacture at BEML’s Bengaluru facility, is also expected to be ready by 2027. The combination of the B28 project and the planned 350 km/h train reflects a dual-track strategy: delivering the first operational bullet train while simultaneously pushing forward with an even faster, more advanced model.

This approach underscores the government’s commitment to indigenous development and technological self-reliance.

The upcoming 350 km/h platform is expected to incorporate advanced aerodynamics, distributed traction systems, intelligent monitoring, enhanced braking, and next-generation safety architecture. 

These trains will be engineered to withstand India’s diverse climatic conditions, including high temperatures, dust-prone regions, heavy rainfall, and humid coastal environments. Such localisation ensures reliable performance while reducing dependence on foreign technology.

Over the past decade, nearly 70,000 kilometres of railway tracks have been laid, and more than 80% of the national rail network is now capable of supporting speeds up to 110 km/h. This extensive groundwork provides a strong foundation for the introduction of high-speed rail services.

The Railway Board has also emphasised that safety will remain the top priority as new technologies are integrated during the current financial year.

Earlier this month, an image of the proposed design of India’s first indigenous bullet train was displayed at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. The Railway Board clarified that the image was a symbolic stage-one design, not the final version. Nevertheless, it attracted significant public attention, with many assuming it was the first official glimpse of India’s inaugural bullet train project.

The localisation strategy behind these projects aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities in rolling stock, propulsion systems, signalling, precision engineering, and rail electronics.

By reducing reliance on imports, India seeks to establish a globally competitive high-speed rail ecosystem under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.

Agencies