BEML Limited has won a ₹5,400 crore contract from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for supplying and maintaining high-speed rolling stock on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor.
The contract covers supply and long-term maintenance of rolling stock and allied works for India’s first bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Details of the Indigenous B28 Train
BEML is manufacturing the country’s first indigenous high-speed bullet train, codenamed B28, at its Aditya High-Speed Rail Complex in Bengaluru.
The train is designed to reach a maximum test speed of 280 kilometers per hour and operate at speeds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour.
Trial runs
of the B28 train on rail tracks are scheduled for May to June 2027, marking a major step in completing the rolling stock testing phase.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor Overview
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor extends over 508 kilometers, running through Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
It will feature 12 stations located at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
The project is being executed under the technical and financial assistance of the Government of Japan.
Shift Toward Domestic Manufacturing
The bullet train project initially involved imported Japanese Shinkansen technology, but escalating costs and specific customizations led
the Ministry of Railways to emphasize domestic production under the Make in India initiative.
BEML partnered with the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to develop the B28 rolling stock, securing development expertise and enabling localization of designs.
Earlier in September 2026, ICF awarded BEML a contract valued at ₹180.60 crore for Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets.
Project Cost and Service Launch Plans
As of late August 2026, the overall cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project doubled to ₹2.1 lakh crore, increasing the focus on cost-efficient domestic manufacturing solutions.
The inaugural 100-kilometer bullet train run between Surat and Vapi is expected to commence in August 2027, introducing passenger
service on a key section of the line.
BEML’s Strategic Industry Position
With this ₹5,400 crore contract, BEML reinforces its status as a leading supplier of high-speed rail equipment in India, adding to its robust order backlog exceeding ₹16,000 crore.
The award of this high-value contract highlights a growing trend of public sector enterprises like BEML securing critical, complex railway infrastructure projects previously dominated by foreign companies, aligning with India’s railway modernization and self-reliance goals.
