Draft:BEML B28

In October 2024, ICF awarded BEML a contract valued at ₹866.87 crore to design, manufacture, and commission two eight-car high-speed trainsets.^[4][5] As of February 2026, preliminary design review is complete, and detailed design review for underframe, carbody, and bogie is nearing completion.^[1] Manufacturing of carbodies and structural elements is in progress at BEML's Bengaluru facility.^[2][3] A full-scale mock-up is scheduled for unveiling in the first quarter of 2026.^[3] The first prototype rollout is targeted for December 2026, with the second in 2027. Post-rollout, the prototypes will undergo static tests, oscillation trials, structural validation thats include full carbody squeeze tests, and high-speed trials over 7–8 months before certification.^[3][2][6]

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor was planned to use Japanese E5 Series Shinkansen trainsets, but negotiations ended in 2024 over costs and modifications for Indian conditions.^[14] ICF tendered for indigenous prototypes; BEML was sole bidder and awarded the contract at lower per-coach cost.^[15] Primary rolling stock remains Japanese E10 Series Shinkansen, with BEML prototypes for trials and indigenous development.^[1][16]

The trainsets are designed for temperatures from −5 °C to 50 °C, high humidity, heavy rainfall, dust, and corrosive environments, with dust filters and enhanced pressurized air-conditioning.^[2][17] They support an average daily run of approximately 2000 km.^[3] The design uses distributed traction with IGBT-based converters, bolsterless bogies, and microprocessor-controlled braking. Safety includes EN 45545 fire norms and ETCS Level-2 signalling compatibility.^[2]

Procurement for components is ongoing through GeM and DGCI&S for the prototypes. Key procurements include: Vehicle-level body shell tests and test rig.^[18] Bogie type tests and structural design standards.^[19] Aerodynamic external components like nose cone, roof cladding, underframe covers, cable trays.^{[20][21][22][23]} Interior components, driver's cab like footrest, glazing, floor boards, and control interface.^{[24][25][26][27][28]} Water management and sanitation like fresh water tanks, pressurized modular toilets, bio-digesters.^[29][30][31] Safety equipment including evacuation bridges, rope ladders, emergency gear, materials like SUS301L-ST.^{[32][33][34][35]} castings for underframe, weld assessment, list of standards, RS-6 SS brackets.^{[36][37][38][39]}

Key suppliers Knorr-Bremse — for braking systems.^[40] Medha for Train Control and Management System (TCMS).^[2] Traktionssysteme Austria (TSA) for gearboxes. Compin Fainsa for passenger seats. Hanuk Fibre for interior panels and nose cone. EC Engineering (Poland) is design validation consultancy.

Air-conditioned coaches with reclining/rotating seats, provisions for passengers with reduced mobility, entertainment systems, pressurized modular toilets, fresh water tanks, and bio-digesters.^[2]

The prototypes are intended for trials on the 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor, with initial testing on sections such as Surat–Bilimora. Trials are expected after certification in 2027. Partial commercial services on select sections may begin from August 2027, subject to approvals.^[1][6] These trainsets serve as prototypes for indigenous development and testing. Primary rolling stock for the corridor is the Japanese E10 Series Shinkansen.^[1]

• High-speed rail in India
• Dehli–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor
• Dehli–Varanasi High-Speed Rail Corridor
• Dehli–Amritsar High-Speed Rail Corridor
• Dehli–Nagpur High-Speed Rail Corridor
• Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor