India Launches Tender for High-Speed Train Production for HSR

The Indian Ministry of Railways has announced the launch of a tender for the design and production of new high-speed trains, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

As part of this project, two eight-car trainsets are planned, capable of reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h.

Morocco to Purchase 168 New Trains: Hyundai Rotem and Global Giants Compete for the Contract

However, the operating speed of the trains will be limited to 220 km/h, and the car bodies must be made of steel, ensuring their strength and durability.

In June 2024, a request for the development of prototype samples was submitted to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), located in Chennai.

This key train manufacturer in India already has experience creating Vande Bharat trains, whose maximum speed reaches 160 km/h. Over the past few years, 55 such trains have been put into operation, but new developments demand higher speeds and adaptation to modern conditions.

The production tasks for creating high-speed trains are included in the 2024-2025 program.

The push to launch high-speed trains is driven by the need to support the country’s first HSR line, which will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Previously, Indian authorities planned to purchase 24 Shinkansen trains from Japanese companies Hitachi and Kawasaki, but negotiations were unsuccessful.

As a result, the decision was made to focus on developing domestic technologies and train models, enabling India to independently grow its high-speed rail sector.

This step has become an essential part of the country’s strategy to modernize its transportation infrastructure.

Successful implementation of the project will open up new opportunities for increasing passenger transportation speeds and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers.

Photo: Business Standard

Rail business, industry, and railway technology news from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Talgo and CAF: Is a Merger Possible?