Bharat’s First Bullet Train Takes Shape: Railway Minister Reviews Manufacturing Progress

Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, today reviewed the manufacturing of Bharat-made Bullet Train-B28, at ADITYA – manufacturing Facility in Bengaluru.

The Minister reviewed the specialised manufacturing infrastructure, including precision-engineered jigs and fixtures for carbody fabrication, and witnessed key stages of production such as underframe, sidewall, roof assembly, car assembly, surface preparation, treatment etc. These advanced manufacturing processes are critical to achieving the precision, strength and quality standards required for high-speed rail operations.

He also witnessed the ‘Squeeze Test’ demonstration, a critical quality assurance process in which the train carbody is subjected to controlled compressive/tensile forces to assess its structural strength, rigidity and dimensional stability.

He examined passenger seats, focusing on the comfort and convenience they will offer during high-speed journeys, and reviewed key onboard systems and components, including the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, couplers and other train equipment and assemblies.

He also reviewed side module, roof module manufacturing and witnessed the subsequent integration and assembly operations.

Bharat’s First Bullet Train in Making

Bharat’s first Bullet Train brings together high-speed performance, indigenous engineering and world-class passenger comfort for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project

India is taking a major step towards indigenous high-speed rail technology with the Bharat-made Bullet Train. It is being manufactured for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor at BEML facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Combining advanced engineering with indigenous expertise, the train has been designed for Indian conditions, keeping passenger comfort and safety in mind.

THE TRAIN AT A GLANCE

● Maximum test speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 249 km/h
● ~202 m total train length
● 8 cars in a configuration of 4 motor cars and 4 trailer cars
● ~557 passengers capacity, including 2 seats space for Divyangjan or Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM)
● The train has seven standard-class cars with 3×2 seating and one executive-class car with 2×2 seating
● The driver’s cab on each side, designed with Intelligent On-Board Control system to support prompt decision-making and coordination with the operation control centre.
● Two 8 car train can be coupled to form 16 car train for future operations.

COMFORT DESIGNED AROUND PASSENGERS

Train interiors are ergonomically designed with consideration of Indian anthropometric requirements.

● Ergonomically designed seats with adequate legroom
● Divyangjan or PRM-friendly seating and level boarding
● LED interior lighting
● Overhead baggage racks
● Additional floor-mounted luggage stands for bigger size luggage.
● Power outlets for laptops and mobile devices
● Modern bio-digester toilets with minimal effluent
● Wide windows at every seat row.
● The sealed, single-piece gangway allows passengers to move comfortably between cars.

CONNECTED WITH THE PASSENGER

A comprehensive passenger information system to keep travellers informed throughout the journey.

● LCD displays inside cabin with provide information in English, Hindi and regional languages.
● Audio guidance through the public address and automatic announcement systems
● Emergency talk-back units in passenger cabins and vestibules, enabling passengers to communicate with train crew in case of emergency.
● A Wi-Fi-based passenger infotainment system enabling passenger to access preloaded infotainment contents.

ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE

Accessibility is integrated into the design of Train.

● The train floor is aligned with the platform height to facilitate level boarding.
● Retractable footsteps integrated into the doors help minimise the horizontal gap between the train and platform.
● Divyanjan or PRM-friendly seating and toilet
● Doors designed for wheelchair movement
● Braille-enabled information signage

COMFORT IN EVERY SEASON

The HVAC system is designed to maintain a comfortable interior temperature and humidity. Each car is equipped with two HVAC units.

DESIGNED FOR A QUIETER, SMOOTHER JOURNEY

Train incorporates multiple measures to reduce noise, including:

● Sound insulation in the car body and floor structure
● Noise-damping coatings
● Skirts, bogie covers and fairings

PERFORMANCE THAT MOVES YOU FORWARD

Efficient Power & Braking.

The train operates on a 25 kV, 50 Hz single-phase AC traction system supplied through heavy compound catenary.

Its regenerative braking system helps recover energy during braking, contributing to greater energy efficiency.

Aerodynamic by Design

The train’s nose and carbody profile have been optimised using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. These are computer-based simulations used to study how air flows around the train.

The aerodynamic design helps:

● Reduce air resistance
● Mitigate tunnel pressure waves and sonic boom

● Reduce turbulence
● The HVAC rooftop profile, roof panels and airflow deflectors are integrated into the aerodynamic design

Its exterior wind-guiding profiles support aerodynamic performance and sealed carbody mitigate the pressure difference and provide passenger comfort.

Reported By Mamta Chaturvedi