BEML to Launch India's First Bullet Train Car Body by August

Bengaluru-based public sector undertaking BEML is set to achieve a significant milestone in India’s high-speed rail ambitions by rolling out the first car body of the country’s inaugural bullet train by August 2026. The train is being manufactured at BEML’s Aditya plant in Bengaluru, which was inaugurated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on April 25, 2026.

According to Shantanu Roy, Chairman and Managing Director of BEML, the company is on track to unveil the first trainset early in 2027. “We expect the first car body shell to be ready by August, and we are aiming to roll out the first train at the beginning of the next calendar year,” Roy stated.

Once the trainset is complete, it will undergo extensive testing at BEML’s facility before being moved to the Surat depot, which is being developed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). Additional testing will then take place at the depot and on the main line, with trials expected to last four to six months.

The Ministry of Railways has set a target to manufacture the first bullet train, designated as the B28, by March 2027. BEML was awarded the contract in October 2024 by the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to design, manufacture, and commission two high-speed trainsets.

The B28 bullet train is planned to operate initially on a 97-km stretch between Surat and Vapi, part of the larger Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. The Railways aims to make this route operational by August 2027, with the B28 capable of reaching speeds of up to 280 kmph.

Efforts are underway to ensure the timely launch of this landmark project, which marks a significant step in India’s journey toward modernizing its rail infrastructure.