India has taken a fresh step in its Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, moving toward building an indigenous high-speed train as part of the country's push for self-reliance, officials said on Thursday.
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has issued a single tender to BEML Limited for the design, manufacturing and long-term maintenance of the rolling stock. The contract, issued on February 28, covers the full lifecycle of the train, including testing and commissioning.
The move is seen as a key milestone as it focuses on developing high-speed trains in India instead of relying on imports. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to boost domestic manufacturing and strengthen infrastructure.
Officials said the project aims to ensure that future bullet trains in India are manufactured locally, marking a shift in the country's railway modernization strategy. BEML will be responsible for delivering trains that meet the operational standards of the corridor and maintaining them over the long term.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, spanning 508 km, remains under construction and is a key part of India's first bullet train project. The route includes 12 stations such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Vapi, Thane and Mumbai, improving intercity connectivity and reducing travel time significantly.
The development also comes ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) - South Gujarat, to be held at AURO University on May 1-2, where infrastructure and high-speed rail projects in India are expected to be a major focus.
In the Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans for seven new bullet train corridors in India- Mumbai to Pune, Pune to Hyderabad, Hyderabad to Bengaluru, Hyderabad to Chennai, Chennai to Bengaluru, Delhi to Varanasi, and Varanasi to Siliguri, aimed at expanding the high-speed rail network and promoting sustainable transport.
With IANS inputs