India’s journey toward high-speed rail is set to get a major boost, with Bengaluru selected to build the country’s first bullet train, capable of running at 250 km/h. The train is being developed for the prestigious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. A collaboration between BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) and Medha Servo Drives will see two state-of-the-art trainsets manufactured in Bengaluru.These high-speed trains will be produced at BEML’s Bengaluru facility. U Subba Rao, the general manager of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, revealed that BEML was the only bidder for the tender to build the two eight-car trainsets. He stated, “The tender will be finalized soon. Since this order involves only two trains, other manufacturers were less interested. Our goal is to complete the production within two and a half years.”Though the exact cost remains undisclosed, it is expected that each train will cost between Rs 200 to Rs 250 crore. These trains will eventually operate on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, managed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).While Bengaluru is often criticized for its slow-moving traffic, the city is now making headlines for its role in building the fastest train India has ever seen. The ICF issued a tender on September 5 to produce high-speed chair-car trains made from stainless steel, with a design speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 250 km/h. The bid submission closed on September 19.Initially, Japan’s famous Shinkansen trains, which can run at 320 km/h, were expected to be deployed on this corridor. However, due to the high costs quoted by Japanese companies, the Indian Railways Ministry decided to develop the trains locally.With BEML’s experience in building train bodies and Medha’s expertise in propulsion systems, this collaboration is set to deliver a high-speed train that meets European standards. Medha’s propulsion technology is already in use in the Vande Bharat trains, which currently run at 160 km/h. For this project, Medha will develop a propulsion system for speeds up to 250 km/h, while BEML will create the train body to handle these high speeds. The project may also involve a European design consultant to ensure the highest quality standards.The first 250 km/h train is expected to roll out by December 2026, with initial trials planned on the Surat-Bilimora section of the MAHSR line. Each train will consist of eight cars, with standard seating in a 3+2 arrangement and an executive car featuring 2+2 seating. The total seating capacity is anticipated to be 174 passengers. Depending on future demand, additional cars could be added to extend the train to 12 or even 16 cars.The trainsets are being designed for standard gauge tracks and could also be exported to international markets in Southeast Asia and Africa. Medha’s role will include the development of the propulsion system and train control software at its Hyderabad plant, while BEML will carry out the final assembly and delivery from its Bengaluru factory.Once successful trials are completed, more orders could follow, not just for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, but also for other high-speed rail projects across India, including routes like Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Hyderabad, and Bengaluru-Chennai