Bengaluru to Build Bullet Trains as India Moves Ahead with Indigenous High-Speed Plans

Bengaluru is set to be part of India's bullet train programme, with manufacturing of high-speed trains planned at a new facility in the city. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the "Atmanirbhar version B-28" bullet train is being designed jointly by Integral Coach Factory and BEML.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of BEML's Aditya Plant in Bengaluru. The facility has been equipped with robotic laser welding systems and precision machinery required for manufacturing bullet train coaches. Once operational, the plant will handle production within the country, instead of relying on imports.

The move comes as India continues work on its first high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which is being developed with Japanese technology. At the same time, the Railways has been working on an indigenous version of the bullet train for future routes. The B-28 project is part of that effort, aimed at developing both design and manufacturing capability within India.

Officials indicated that Bengaluru has been chosen for this work because of BEML's experience in rail and heavy engineering, along with the existing industrial base in the city. The focus, according to the minister, is on building systems within the country that can support expansion of bullet train services in the coming years.

Alongside this, the Railways is also planning additional services from Bengaluru, including a superfast train to Mumbai via Hubballi-Dharwad and a Vande Bharat sleeper service for overnight travel. Both are expected to be introduced in the coming months.

On the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project, Vaishnaw said progress has improved, with better coordination and land acquisition helping move the project forward.

The developments indicate that while work continues on ongoing high-speed corridors, parallel efforts are under way to ensure that future bullet train projects can be supported by domestic manufacturing and design.