A version of Bullet Train to be manufactured at BEML Plant: Rail Minister
By Arun Kumar Das
BENGALURU, Apr 25: The bullet train’s Atmanirbhar version B-28 is being designed jointly by ICF and BEML, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw here on Saturday.
“Manufacturing will take place at BEML’s specially designed facility, Aditya Plant, equipped with advanced, high-precision machines, including robotic laser welding systems. This will enable indigenous production of bullet trains under Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Vaishnaw said while inaugurating ‘Aditya Complex at BEML.
Vaishnaw visited the BEML Tippasandra Campus in Bengaluru to inaugurate Aditya, a specialized complex dedicated to the manufacturing of high-speed rail.
During the visit, the Minister emphasized that high-speed rail technology is incredibly complex and intricate, noting that its development within our country marks a significant milestone for indigenous engineering.
The Minister highlighted the transformative power of high-speed rail, stating that the advent of these trains will cause major cities to be seen as extensions of one another. He cited the example of the travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru which is expected to drop to just 73 minutes, effectively making the two cities part of a single integrated hub.
The Minister said that connectivity will be enhanced by the introduction of two new services. A new Mail Express featuring LHB coaches will be introduced via Hubli, and a Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is scheduled to commence operations soon.
Addressing regional connectivity, the Minister said the Vande Bharat service between Mangaluru and Bengaluru will be launched very soon.
He emphasized that the planning for this service has duly taken into consideration the linking of Madgaon and other coastal cities of Karnataka prior to implementation.
Technical hurdles have been cleared, including the completion of electrification on the Hassan-Mangaluru section and the integration of Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) systems for safety on steep coastal gradients.
The Minister concluded the visit by praising the engineering talent at the Tippasandra facility, stating that their work on the next generation of rolling stock is central to the vision of a developed India.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balancing massive infrastructure growth with environmental sustainability and public awareness. (BVI)
