Alstom-L&T JV & DRA-Siemens JV Bid for Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Signaling Contract S1

Alstom Transport – Larsen & Toubro JV and DRA Infracon – Siemens JV this week submitted bids for the signalling and telecommunication (S&T) system contract of 508.17 km Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR Bullet Train) project.

The scope of this long-delayed crucial package S-1 by India’s National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL) includes end to end design, installation and commissioning works for India’s first high speed rail line which will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad through 12 stations at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.1 lakh crore (US $15 billion).

S-1 package, as I understand, was originally planned by NHSRCL under Package EW-2, but a tender notice was never published likely because of the delay, which continues, in finalizing the system’s rolling stock contract.

Per NHSRCL’s April 2024 brochure, the line will use Digital Shinkansen – Automatic Train Control (DS-ATC) technology with a special braking mechanism to prevent collision and overrunning at stations.

However, per the Integral Coach Factory (ICF)’s tender notice for manufacturing two prototype train-sets, which was awarded to BEML in October 2024, the line will be equipped with European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signaling system. The 82.15 km Delhi – Meerut RRTS Line is configured with Alstom’s ETCS solution and is the only rail system in India running it at this time.

NHSRCL had invited bids for this contract in January 2025 with a 2555 day (7 year) deadline and unknown estimate. Technical bids were opened this Wednesday to reveal Alstom – L&T JV and DRA – Siemens JV as the only 2 bidders.

IFB Number: Package No. MAHSR – S-1

Brief Scope: Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Over all Integration, Testing Commissioning, and Comprehensive Maintenance, of Signalling & Train Control System, Telecommunication System, and Operation Control Center System on Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project, India.

The bids have now been sent for technical bid evaluation which can take a couple months to complete. When that is done, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened to reveal who’s the lowest bidder and most likely supplier.

While things on the civil construction-side are steadily advancing throughout its alignment in Gujarat and now Maharashtra, this project is clearly delayed on the systems procurement front.

There’s still no clarity on what rolling stock will be operated on the line. Per The Japan Times, Japan plans to provide one train-set each from the E5 and E3 series to India by early 2026 as inspection vehicles, while the next-generation E10 series of trains will be adopted in the 2030s.

Whether that happens or not, we’ll have to wait and watch. The only thing that is certain at this time is that BEML is building two 8-coach train-sets to test and run up to speeds of 250 kmph.

A list of all bullet train civil and system packages and their status can be viewed here.

For more updates, check out the High Speed Rail section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG