High Speed Rail Projects
High Speed Rail Projects
Overview
India’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) programme—popularly called “Bullet Train” projects—aims to run trains at 250–350 km/h on newly-built, standard-gauge corridors. The first corridor, Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR), is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), a special-purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Railways, with technical & financial assistance from the Government of Japan through JICA.
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1st HSR Corridor | Mumbai–Ahmedabad (508.17 km) |
| Corridor States | Maharashtra (156 km) & Gujarat (352 km) |
| Operating Speed | 320 km/h (max 350 km/h) |
| Train Set Name | E5 Series “Shinkansen” (Japan) |
| Journey Time | 2.07 h (stop-to-stop) vs 6–7 h by conventional train |
| Stations (Total 12) | Mumbai (Bandra-Kurla Complex), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Ahmedabad, Sabarmati |
| Underground Station | Mumbai BKC (27 m deep, 1st in India) |
| Cost (2017 base) | ₹1,08,000 crore (81 % JICA loan @ 0.1 %, 50 yr tenure, 15 yr moratorium) |
| Ground Breaking | 14 Sept 2017 (by PM & Japan PM) |
| Target Completion | Aug 2026 (1st section Surat–Bilimora trial run Dec 2025) |
| Japanese Tech | Shinkansen 0-accident legacy since 1964 |
| Signalling | Advanced ATC (Automatic Train Control) – no drivers’ signal sighting needed |
| Track Gauge | 1,435 mm (standard gauge) vs 1,676 mm Indian broad gauge |
| Ballast-less Track | Slab track with 25-tonne axle-load design |
| Power System | 25 kV 50 Hz single-phase (same as conventional, but rigid OHE) |
| Earthquake Safety | TREM system auto-stops train at 0.04 g seismic trigger |
| Make-in-India | 24 bullet-train rakes × 10 coaches; 75 % components to be made/domesticated in India (Sabarmati & Integral Coach Factory, Chennai) |
| Job Creation | 15,000 direct + 30,000 indirect |
| CO₂ Saving | 3.3 lakh tonnes/yr vs road/air |
Important Points
- NHSRCL incorporated (2016) under Companies Act; equity 50 % MoR, 25 % GoM, 25 % GoG.
- MAHSR alignment: 468 km elevated, 27 km underground (Thane creek + Mumbai), 13 km at-grade.
- Only 0.9 % gradient permitted (vs 1:150 in conventional).
- Noise barrier 3–5 m high along 320 km of elevated viaduct.
- Ticketing: Smart QR paper + NFC; no physical ticket punching.
- Stations classified as “Silver, Gold, Platinum” based on passenger capacity; Ahmedabad is Platinum.
- Train composition: 10 coaches (Executive + Chair car) → 750 seats; future 16-coach → 1,250 seats.
- Operational stations will have 400-m platforms (vs 200 m Indian Railways average).
- First girder launched (Dec 2021) – 40 m U-girder (120 t) through full-span launching gantry.
- Under-pass at Sabarmati: 11 km underground depot-cum-maintenance facility.
- National Rail Plan (2031) envisages 6 more HSR corridors (Delhi–Varanasi, Delhi–Ahmedabad, Mumbai–Nagpur, Chennai–Mysuru, etc.) totalling ~4,500 km.
- Diamond Quadrilateral HSR grid to connect Delhi–Mumbai–Chennai–Kolkata.
- RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) is semi-high-speed (160 km/h) and distinct from HSR.
- Indian Railways’ fastest train Vande Bharat (semi-high-speed) runs 180 km/h—NOT HSR.
- HSR trains will have “Delta” & “Alpha” classes (on-board catering & baggage allowance similar to airlines).
Frequently Asked in Exams
- Length, states covered & funding pattern of Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR.
- Operating speed & technology name (Shinkansen E5).
- Implementing agency (NHSRCL) & year of incorporation.
- Difference between HSR (250–350 km/h) & semi-high-speed (≤200 km/h).
- JICA loan terms (0.1 %, 50 yr, 15 yr moratorium).
Practice MCQs
1. What is the maximum design speed of trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor?
Answer: 350 km/h
2. Which organisation is the nodal implementing agency for India’s bullet-train project?
Answer: NHSRCL (National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited)
3. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR corridor uses which gauge?
Answer: Standard gauge (1,435 mm)
4. What percentage of the project cost is funded by JICA loan?
Answer: 81 %
5. Which of the following stations on MAHSR will be India’s first underground HSR station?
Answer: Mumbai (BKC)
6. The automatic train-control system adopted from Shinkansen is called
Answer: ATC (Advanced/Automatic Train Control)
7. What is the target year for commissioning the full Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail?
Answer: 2026
8. How many coaches will the initial E5 rake composition have?
Answer: 10
9. Which two states are directly linked by the first HSR corridor?
Answer: Maharashtra & Gujarat
10. The slab track permitted gradient for HSR is limited to
Answer: 0.9 % (1 in 111)
BETA
