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India's Indigenous Bullet Train Push Gains Pace with New Bengaluru Facility

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated BEML's 'Aditya' complex in Bengaluru for indigenous bullet train manufacturing. The 'Atmanirbhar version B-28' bullet train is being designed jointly by ICF and BEML. Vaishnaw also announced new Vande Bharat services connecting Bengaluru to Mangalore, Madgaon, and Mumbai. The Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project is progressing well with improved land acquisition.

Key Points: Indigenous Bullet Train: India's High-Speed Rail Push

  • Indigenous bullet train 'Atmanirbhar version B-28' designed by ICF and BEML
  • BEML's Aditya Plant in Bengaluru inaugurated for manufacturing
  • Vande Bharat services to Mangalore, Madgaon, and Mumbai soon
  • Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project gains momentum
2 min read

Vaishnaw inaugurates BEML's 'Aditya' complex in Bengaluru; India's indigenous bullet train push gathers pace

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates BEML's Aditya Plant in Bengaluru for indigenous bullet train manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

"The bullet train's Atmanirbhar version B-28 is being designed jointly by ICF and BEML. - Ashwini Vaishnaw"

Bengaluru, April 25

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said India is moving ahead with its indigenous bullet train programme, with the "Atmanirbhar version B-28" now being designed and manufactured domestically, as he inaugurated a high-speed train manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

Speaking on the development, Vaishnaw said, "The bullet train's Atmanirbhar version B-28 is being designed jointly by ICF and BEML. Manufacturing will take place at BEML's specially designed facility, Aditya Plant, equipped with advanced, high-precision machines, including robotic laser welding systems."

He added that this initiative will enable the indigenous production of bullet trains under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The minister was in Bengaluru to inaugurate BEML's Aditya Plant, which will play a key role in India's high-speed rail ambitions.

Highlighting progress on semi-high-speed rail connectivity, Vaishnaw said, "The Vande Bharat train to Mangalore, all the way to Madgaon, that service is now being planned. The electrification between Hassan and Mangalore is now complete. Testing and trials are being done."

He added that operations are expected to begin soon. "Very soon, we should have within the next few months, we should have the Vande Bharat service between Bangalore, Mangalore and towards Madgaon. So the entire coastal Karnataka will be serviced by Vande Bharat very soon," Vaishnaw noted.

The Railway Minister also announced new train services connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai. "Simultaneously, we are starting two new services to Mumbai. One service is a superfast service from Bangalore via Hubli Dharwad, and the second is a Vande Bharat sleeper service, which will be Bengaluru to Mumbai. So these two services will again start in a couple of months from now," he said.

On urban rail infrastructure, Vaishnaw said the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project has gained momentum after key administrative changes.

"The progress of Bengaluru Suburban is also very good; now we have a very good technical hand as the managing director. Now the progress is very good," he said, adding that "we are getting good progress on the land acquisition also."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see Bengaluru getting more Vande Bharat services - coastal Karnataka really needs better connectivity. But what about the existing infrastructure? We need seamless integration with local buses and metro, else people won't use it much. Also, land acquisition for Bengaluru Suburban Rail needs to speed up - it's been dragging for years.
J
James A
Impressive that BEML is now manufacturing bullet trains locally. The robotic laser welding systems sound cutting-edge. But I hope the safety standards match Japanese Shinkansen levels - we can't afford compromises on high-speed rail safety.
R
Rohit P
The announcement of Bangalore-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper service is fantastic! Finally, a comfortable overnight option. Hope they price it reasonably so it's not just for the rich. Also, the Hubli-Dharwad route will boost tourism in North Karnataka. Well done, Railways! 👏
K
Kavya N
All these announcements are promising, but I have one concern - the cost. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has already seen massive cost overruns. Will the indigenous version be cheaper? And what about maintenance? We don't want another project that bleeds tax money. Need more transparency on the budget.
S
Sarah B
Great to see the Bengaluru Suburban Rail project gaining momentum after the new MD appointment. Land acquisition is always the bottleneck in India - glad it's improving. The coastal Karnataka Vande Bharat service will be a lifesaver for people like me who travel between Mangalore and Bangalore regularly. Hope the frequency is good.

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