Japan to gift Shinkansen Train sets to India for high-speed bullet train testing

TOKYO : Japan is set to give India’s high-speed rail ambitions a major boost by providing two sets of its celebrated Shinkansen Trains at no cost. The East Japan Railway Company will donate one train set each from its E5 and E3 series to be used for testing and inspection of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, currently under construction. According to Japan Times, this offer is aimed at ensuring the smooth implementation of the project.

The E5 And E3 Shinkansen Models

The E5 and E3 series Shinkansen are synonymous with modern, high-speed travel in Japan. The E5 series is known for its sleek design and cutting-edge technology, while the E3 series offers a blend of efficiency and passenger comfort. These trains have become an icon of Japanese engineering, and their introduction in India is set to provide crucial data on track and operational performance. As reported by Japan Times, their deployment for inspection purposes will help gather valuable insights into operating conditions on the new rail corridor.

What This Means For India’s High-Speed Rail

India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail link, spanning around 500 kilometres, is a landmark project in the nation’s infrastructure development. By utilising the Shinkansen units, authorities will be able to examine track conditions, especially in extreme weather and dusty environments. This testing phase is vital for the eventual introduction of the next-generation E10 series Shinkansen trains, scheduled to be adopted in the early 2030s, according to Japan Times. 

The data collected during this phase will be instrumental in fine-tuning systems before the line becomes operational.

How The Project Is Being Financed

Funding for the bullet train project is largely being sourced through low-interest yen loans from the Japanese government. This will cover around 80 percent of the expected costs, which were initially estimated at around ¥1.8 trillion. But with expenses on the rise, both governments are in discussions to establish a new loan framework that will support the procurement of the E10 series trains when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Japan for a bilateral summit. Japan Times reports that the financial strategy is key to ensuring the project’s successful implementation without significant delays.