BEML Awarded India’s High-Speed Rail Train Contract for 16 Coaches
BEML Ltd. has announced the award of a Rs. 866.87 crore contract by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to supply two high-speed train-sets for India’s upcoming high speed rail corridors which includes the under construction 508 km Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR Bullet Train) project.
These two prototype train-sets by BEML will consist of 8 coaches each valued at Rs. 27.86 crore. Per BEML’s announcement, this figure includes “design cost, one-time development cost, non-recurring charges, onetime cost towards Jigs, fixtures, tooling and testing facilities, which will be utilised for all future High-Speed projects in India“.
These indigenously designed and manufactured train-sets for standard gauge tracks will be built be built at BEML’s Bengaluru rail coach complex in CV Raman Nagar. They’ll have a maximum speed of 280 kmph and be capable of being operated at at a speed of 250 kmph. BEML claims they’ll deliver both train-sets by the end of 2026.
When it comes to features, these fully air-conditioned trains with a chair car configuration will “offer a modern passenger amenities such as reclining and rotatable seats, special provisions for passengers with restricted mobility, and onboard infotainment systems“.
BEML will be partnering up with Medha Servo Drives, developer of Vande Bharat trains‘ propulsion system, to develop the new high speed trains’ propulsion system.
India’s ICF had invited bids for these 2 trains on September 5 and had received only one bid from BEML when technical bids were opened on September 19.
Per the tender notice, these prototype train-sets should be designed to operate with European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signaling system. Each train will consist of 5 standard cars with 78 seats each, 1 executive car with 52 seats, and 2 driving cars with 44 seats each. The cars will have a width of 3.35m, preferable height of 3.65m and maximum height of 3.85m
The notice clearly mentioned the trains will be tested and operated on the 46 km Surat – Bilimora section of the under construction Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project. Whether they’ll actually enter service or not remains to be seen.
With this development, it remains to be seen if the procurement of 18 E5 series Shinkansen bullet trains, capable of hitting speeds of 320 kmph, for MAHSR is still on the cards or not.
Bear in mind each Shinkansen train’s coach costs around Rs. 48 crore – nearly double the cost of what BEML has pitched. As more coaches are ordered in the future, the cost will only go down due to economies of scale.
India’s Ministry of Railways in 2020 had released a National Rail Plan (NRP) which proposed the development of 13 high speed rail corridors with a combined length of 7897 km. Looking at that long term plan, I believe it’s a no brainer and in India’s best interest to indigenously produce, refine, and continuously improve its rolling stock capabilities.
The 2026-end delivery timeframe sounds a little too aggressive to me for something that’s never been built by Indian companies before, but this is a good start.
A quick snapshot of all upcoming high speed rail lines can be viewed here.
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– TMRG
Considering the high safety critical nature of vehicles that travel at that high a speed, I dont think these should be used for commercial operations.
If BEML-Medha is looking to create trainsets which travel at that high a speed, it is defintely a good first step towards indigenising such manufacturing. But there will need to be years of rigorous testing and validation of all kinds of systems, before we can confidently say they are ready for commercial operations.
But in the long run, I see such trains with a 250kmph operational speed limit as complementary to the 320-350kmph operating trains. If we can maintain an average speed of 170-180kmph with these trains, they will be great for overnight trains. Like a Mumbai-Delhi journey will be a perfect 8 hours overnight journey. Even a Delhi-Bangalore journey could possibly be a 14hour journey, like a 6pm dep to 8am arrival.
In comparison, the 320-350kmph trains, which can probably do average speeds of 220-230kmph, they are great for shorter 1-3hour intercity rides, like Mum-Ahm, Bng-Chn, Bng-Hyd etc.
Eager to see how efficiently they would be able to achieve such high speeds with Aluminium bodies. Guess these would be one the fastest steel trains in the world.
*corrwction- meant “Steel bodies” instead of “Aluminium bodies”
Cooperation with European HSR stock manufacturers should definitely be explored to obtain reliable R&D at reasonable costs