Bengaluru (Karnataka), Nov 1: India is moving closer to developing its first indigenously manufactured bullet train for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor. The train is being manufactured at the Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country's domestic capabilities in high-speed rail technology.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the train has been designed specifically for Indian conditions, with a focus on passenger comfort, accessibility, safety and operational efficiency.

The eight-coach train will have a maximum test speed of 280 kmph and a planned operational speed of 249 kmph. Measuring approximately 202 metres, it will comprise four motor cars and four trailer cars, with a passenger capacity of 557, including two designated spaces for Divyangjan and Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM).

The train will feature seven standard-class coaches with 3x2 seating arrangements and one executive-class coach with 2x2 seating. Driver cabins at both ends will have intelligent onboard control systems to facilitate coordination with the operation control centre. Two eight-coach trainsets can also be coupled to form a 16-coach formation to meet future requirements.

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Passenger amenities will include ergonomically designed seats, LED lighting, overhead luggage racks, dedicated spaces for larger baggage and charging points for electronic devices. Modern bio-digester toilets, wide windows and sealed gangways connecting the coaches will further enhance passenger convenience.

A multilingual passenger information system will provide updates through LCD screens in English, Hindi and regional languages. Audio announcements, emergency communication facilities and a Wi-Fi-based infotainment system with preloaded entertainment content will also be available.

Accessibility has been prioritised through level boarding, retractable footsteps, wheelchair-friendly entrances, dedicated seating and toilet facilities, and Braille-enabled signage. Each coach will also have two heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) units to regulate temperature and humidity.

The train incorporates sound insulation, noise-dampening coatings, bogie covers and aerodynamic fairings to minimise noise and vibration during high-speed operations.

Technically, it will operate on a 25 kV, 50 Hz single-phase AC traction system. Its regenerative braking technology will recover energy during braking and feed it back into the electrical system, improving energy efficiency.

The aerodynamic design has been developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to reduce air resistance, turbulence and pressure variations during tunnel operations. Specially designed nose and body profiles, roof panels and airflow deflectors will help improve stability and passenger comfort at high speeds.

The project marks an important milestone in India's efforts to develop indigenous high-speed rail technology and strengthen its advanced railway manufacturing ecosystem. (With ANI inputs)