BEML Limited has been awarded a ₹5,400 crore contract by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the supply, maintenance, and allied works related to high-speed rolling stock on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor.
The contract strengthens BEML’s position as a leading domestic supplier for India’s first bullet train project. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is 508 kilometers long, and BEML is developing indigenous high-speed rolling stock known as the B28 train in partnership with Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The B28 train is designed with a maximum test speed of 280 kmph and an operational speed exceeding 250 kmph.
Route and Corridor Details
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor traverses the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, as well as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The route includes 12 planned stations: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
Project Background and Development
Initially, the high-speed rail project was based on imported Japanese Shinkansen technology. However, costs escalated leading Indian Railways to adopt a Make in India approach focused on domestic manufacturing. Under this initiative, BEML and ICF jointly developed the standardized B28 rolling stock, enabling India to move away from costly imports. The overall cost estimate for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad
bullet train project doubled to ₹2.1 lakh crore as of late August 2026, accelerating government emphasis on cost-effective domestic procurement.
Milestones and Timelines
Trial runs of the indigenous B28 bullet train are scheduled to start in May-June 2027. The first operational segment is planned as a 100-kilometer run between Surat and Vapi, expected to commence in August 2027.
Additional Contracts and Financial Impact
Alongside the NHSRCL contract, BEML secured a ₹180.60 crore order from Integral Coach Factory in early September 2026 for Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets. Prior to the ₹5,400 crore NHSRCL contract, BEML’s order backlog exceeded ₹16,000 crore, providing it substantial multi-year revenue visibility and reinforcing its
commercial order book within heavy transit infrastructure projects.
