PM Modi likely to seal deal on Japan’s E10 Shinkansen bullet trains | All about new 320kph train

Designed by the East Japan Railway Company, the E10 has a maximum speed of 320 km per hour. (Image: X)

India is set to get its first Bullet train soon. India and Japan may forge a partnership for manufacturing the next generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains, with an announcement likely during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Japan.

The move will bolster the ongoing collaboration between the two countries on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed railway (MAHSR) project, which has a total length of 508 km.

The MAHSR project was launched in September 2017; PM Modi and then Japan PM Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone at Gujarat's Sabarmati. The first section is to open in Gujarat by 2027 and the full route is expected to be operational by 2028 and run the 508km in two hours, seven minutes.

PM Modi and current Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, are also expected to explore other bullet train projects in India.

“The Japanese Shinkansen [system] is currently running E5 trains. Next generation trains are E10. In the spirit of strategic partnership between Japan and India, the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project. It is noteworthy that E10 will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan,” the Ministry of Railway had earlier said, according to a report by the Indian Express.

About these bullet trains

A bullet train operates at 250+ km per hour and runs on dedicated tracks.

It is a high-speed rail network similar to those operated by other countries, including France, with whom India had initially considered constructing this project. China, South Korea, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium are some others that have these services.

India's initial plan was to buy the E5 Shinkansen series.

However, due to project delays and advances in technology by Japan in the meantime, India was offered the next-generation E10 series, the design of which is inspired by the famous sakura, or cherry blossom, flowers and includes at least one key upgrade - the train is earthquake-proof, according to a report by NDTV.

Specifically, the E10 has 'L-shaped vehicle guides' to ensure it does not derail during a quake. It also has lateral dampers to reduce shaking, minimise damage and, again prevent derailment.

Among a host of other new features, compared to the E5 series, the bullet trains India are expected to get have more luggage space, dedicated window seats for wheelchair users, and a re-designed, flexible seating plan that can be set up either for more passengers or more cargo.

Designed by the East Japan Railway Company, the E10 has a maximum speed of 320 km per hour, which is the same as the E5 series. However, the E10's top speed is electronically limited, NDTV reported.

India’s first Bullet train corridor, made with the Shinkansen technology, will establish new standards for speed, safety, and reliability. This will illustrate India and Japan’s close strategic and technological cooperation.