India-Japan collab to bring Alfa-X Bullet Train to Mumbai-Ahmedabad route; ready for 2029-30 launch

India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is rapidly advancing with Japan’s full backing. The high-speed rail will significantly reduce travel time between the two cities to just over two hours. Originally planned to feature the Shinkansen E5 model, capable of 320 km/h, India will now receive the advanced Shinkansen E10, or Alfa-X, which can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h.

The new trains will be launched simultaneously in India and Japan in 2029-30, marking a historic move in high-speed rail technology.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor is set to transform travel, slashing the journey time between the two cities to just over two hours. Funded largely by a 50-year loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering 80% of the project cost at a minimal 0.1% interest rate, this ambitious project includes cutting-edge engineering solutions such as a 21-kilometer undersea tunnel. Additionally, the trains will be specially tailored to Indian needs, with extra luggage space and improved dust resistance.

Construction is progressing rapidly, with civil contracts already awarded and track work scheduled for completion by 2026-27. This project is expected to set a new benchmark for high-speed rail travel in India.

Alongside the Shikansen, India is developing its own semi-high-speed trains, capable of reaching speeds of 280 km/h. Expected to launch by 2026, these homegrown trains will complement the Shinkansen E10, enhancing India’s self-sufficiency in rail technology. This collaboration between India and Japan promises to redefine rail travel in India and establish it as a global leader in high-speed connectivity.