New Delhi: Japan will provide India free E5 and E3 Shinkansen bullet trains for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. The delivery is expected to begin in early 2026 to allow trials in India’s hot climate and dusty environment and to collect operational data.
Japan is providing the E5 and E3 Shinkansen bullet trains to India for free as part of a collaborative agreement to support the development of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. This initiative is part of a broader framework where Japan is offering a loan at a 0.1% interest rate to finance the project, with the Union Government, Gujarat, and Maharashtra contributing to the funding. The provision of these trains aims to facilitate trials in India’s climate and environment, gather operational data, and enhance the overall quality of the high-speed rail system.
Japan is also developing the E10 model, which will be faster than the E5 and E3. According to Japan Times, there are plans to run the E10 on the same track in both Japan and India. Some sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor could be ready for operation by August 2027. By then, data will have been collected using the E5 and E3 models to further improve the E10.
E5 Shinkansen (Hayabusa)
• Year of Manufacture: 2011
• Top Speed: 320 km/h
• Design: Aerodynamic 15-meter long nose to reduce air resistance
• Coaches: 10 coaches, length 253 meters, with seating for 731 passengers
• Features: Vibration and noise-free, earthquake-resistant braking, comfortable first-class coaches
E3 Shinkansen (Mini Shinkansen)
• Year of Manufacture: 1997
• Top Speed: 275 km/h
• Design: Suitable for narrow tracks and standard platforms
• Coaches: 6 or 7 coaches, length 253 meters, 350 passenger capacity
• Features: High acceleration, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
Progress of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor:
• Total Length: 508 km
• Viaduct Construction: 100 km completed
• Pier Work: 230 km completed
• Track Bed: Installation of the first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed has commenced in Surat, marking the introduction of the J-slab ballastless track system in India
• Tunnels: The breakthrough of the first 350-meter mountain tunnel has been completed in Valsad district, Gujarat
• Bridges: The first 70-meter steel bridge has been erected in Surat district, Gujarat, as part of the 28 steel bridges planned for the corridor
• The project is progressing steadily, with the aim to commence operations by August 2027.
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