Indian Railways (IR) is expected to receive two upgraded versions of Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains, known as the Shinkansen E10 or Shinkansen Alfa-X. These high-speed trains will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 400 km per hour (kmph). Moreover, both Japan and India are planning to roll out these trains simultaneously by 2029-30. Previously, IR had planned to procure the Shinkansen E5 trains, which have a maximum speed of 320 kmph.
Reportedly, the governments of both countries have agreed that India can test and launch its two prototype bullet trains, being manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), in 2027 using the existing high-speed rail infrastructure between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.