Bengaluru: India’s B28 bullet train is progressing through key manufacturing stages at BEML’s Bengaluru facility, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewing the production work during a visit to the plant on Monday.

The minister inspected various stages of manufacturing, including the construction of the underframe, assembly of sidewalls and roof sections, fitting of bogies and surface treatment. He also reviewed the production arrangements and activities taking place across different units of the facility.

The inspection covered both the structural assembly of the train and the installation of passenger amenities and technical systems, marking an important stage in India’s efforts to develop domestic high-speed rail manufacturing capabilities.

Minister reviews manufacturing stages

During the visit, Vaishnaw examined the construction and assembly processes being undertaken at the Bengaluru plant. Officials briefed him on the methods used to manufacture the train’s side and roof modules and explained the work involved in bringing together its major structural components.

He also reviewed the fitting of bogies, which form an important part of the train’s running system, along with the surface treatment processes being carried out during production.

The minister inspected passenger-related facilities and technical arrangements, including seating, couplers and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

Officials explained the functioning of the equipment and the procedures being followed to integrate the different systems into the train.

The review provided an overview of the progress made across the manufacturing units, from the construction of the main structure to the installation of passenger facilities.

B28 designed for Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor

The B28 bullet train is being developed for high-speed operations on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor.

The train will measure 202 metres in length and consist of eight coaches, with a passenger capacity of 557. It has been designed for a maximum speed of 280 kmph, while its planned operational speed is 249 kmph.

The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is India’s flagship high-speed rail project. The entire corridor is expected to be commissioned by December 2029.

The B28’s design and manufacturing specifications are intended to meet the requirements of high-speed operations, including passenger comfort and the integration of specialised technical systems.

Bengaluru plant plays key role in domestic manufacturing

The manufacturing work at BEML’s Bengaluru facility is significant for India’s efforts to strengthen its domestic capabilities in high-speed rail technology.

The project involves the production and assembly of major train components within the country, alongside the integration of passenger amenities and technical equipment.

Vaishnaw’s inspection covered the different aspects of this process, from the fabrication and assembly of structural sections to the fitting of essential systems.

As manufacturing activities progress, the Bengaluru facility is expected to remain central to the development of the B28 train for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.

The project represents an important step in India’s broader ambition to build expertise in high-speed rail technology and expand domestic manufacturing capacity in the railway sector.