Key Facts:
The Shinkansen colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan.
India and Japan will debut the E10 Shinkansen bullet train (Alfa-X) in 2030, marking a significant milestone in high-speed rail innovation.
Prime Highlights:
India transitions from the planned E5 model (320 km/h) to the advanced E10, which boasts a top speed of 400 km/h.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is a joint venture between India and Japan, showcasing deep collaboration in rail technology.
India is also developing its own high-speed trains, designed to reach speeds of 280 km/h, complementing the Shinkansen E10.
Key Background:
India and Japan are poised to launch the next-generation Shinkansen E10 bullet train, also known as the Alfa-X, in 2030, marking a historic milestone in high-speed rail collaboration. Initially, India was set to receive the E5 model, which boasts a top speed of 320 km/h, but has now opted for the more advanced E10 version, which reaches speeds of up to 400 km/h. This upgrade signifies a substantial leap in rail technology and operational safety for India’s burgeoning high-speed rail network.
The E10’s introduction will coincide with its debut in Japan, highlighting a joint commitment to pioneering high-speed rail innovations. India’s ambitious bullet train project, aimed at connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai, is a result of extensive cooperation between the two nations. The project is designed to revolutionize rail travel, drastically reducing travel time between the two cities to just over two hours.
Japan’s East Japan Railway Company operates the E5 series, which has been in service since 2011. The E10 will surpass its predecessor in terms of both speed and efficiency, making it an ideal fit for India’s evolving rail infrastructure. India will be among the first international recipients of the E10 model, underscoring the deepening technological partnership between the countries.
In addition to the E10 Shinkansen, India is progressing with its own indigenous high-speed trains, developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in collaboration with BEML Ltd. These trains, expected to achieve speeds of up to 280 km/h, will complement the E10 in providing efficient rail services. Meanwhile, the infrastructure for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which includes a 21-km undersea tunnel, is advancing rapidly, with a full-scale launch anticipated by 2028-30. The project’s financial backing comes from a 50-year loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, covering approximately 80% of the project cost, making it financially viable for India. With these developments, India’s high-speed rail system is set to redefine travel in the country while benefiting from cutting-edge Japanese technology.