State-run BEML Ltd has been awarded a significant contract for the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of two high-speed trainsets by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), marking a major milestone in India’s high-speed rail journey.
Each trainset will consist of eight cars, with the price per car set at Rs 27.86 crore, resulting in a total contract value of Rs 866.87 crore. This contract includes the design cost, one-time development expenses, non-recurring charges, and a one-time investment in jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing facilities. These facilities will be used for future high-speed rail projects in India, providing critical infrastructure for the country’s growing rail network.
The trainsets, which will have a test speed of 280 km/h, will be the first indigenously designed and manufactured high-speed trains in India. The project is part of India’s ambitious high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which spans 508 km. Initially, Japanese E5 series Shinkansen trains were planned for this corridor, but due to the high costs quoted by Japanese firms, the Indian government decided to opt for domestic manufacturing.
The contract awarded to BEML is a significant boost for India’s efforts to develop its own high-speed rail technology. The company, which operates in three verticals — Defence & Aerospace, Mining & Construction, and Rail & Metro — has advanced manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru, Kolar Gold Fields, Mysore, and Palakkad, along with a comprehensive R&D infrastructure and a nationwide sales and service network.
These high-speed trainsets will offer a fully air-conditioned Chair Car configuration with modern amenities, such as reclining and rotatable seats, special provisions for passengers with restricted mobility, and onboard infotainment systems. The trains are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.
In addition to this project, BEML is also manufacturing the first 10 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, enhancing India’s capabilities in both premium and high-speed rail travel.