The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project has achieved a major milestone with the entry of the first Shinkansen bullet train into the trial phase in Japan.
In 2016, India and Japan signed an agreement to collaborate on the high-speed rail project, which is primarily funded through low-interest yen loans from Japan, covering approximately 80% of the total project cost.
As part of the Indo-Japanese partnership, Japan will provide two Shinkansen train sets—one from the E5 series and one from the E3 series—for initial inspection and performance testing.
These trains are designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 km/h and are expected to be delivered to India in early 2026. Upon arrival, they will undergo comprehensive testing to assess their performance in India’s specific terrain and climate conditions.
About the Trial Runs for Bullet Train Project
The trial trains are equipped with advanced inspection systems to evaluate driving conditions, temperature resilience, and dust resistance.
The data gathered during this phase is intended to inform the future operations of the bullet train corridor. Additionally, this data will assist in the eventual production of the next-generation E10 series Shinkansen trains under the “Make in India” initiative.
