(Image source from: Ndtv.com)
India and Japan might establish a partnership for producing the new E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India, with an announcement anticipated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day trip to Japan this week, according to sources familiar with the situation. This collaboration is expected to enhance economic ties between India and Japan, and both countries have reached a preliminary agreement to work together on creating the E10 Shinkansen, which is based on the experimental ALFA-X train, as stated by anonymous sources. This effort will strengthen the ongoing partnership regarding the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed railway project, which spans 508 kilometers in total.
"This initiative is inspired by the successful Maruti Suzuki joint venture from nearly forty years ago, but it carries much greater scale and strategic significance," one individual mentioned, requesting anonymity. "This reflects PM Modi’s vision and his strong relationship with Japan. The partnership has progressed from just purchasing bullet trains to actually building them collaboratively in India." The type of E10 Shinkansen that will be made available to India will be specially adapted for the specific conditions in the country, another person indicated. Even with various delays and budget increases affecting the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed railway project, Japan continues to support this endeavor, he added.
Modi is expected to arrive in Tokyo on August 29 for a yearly summit with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and he will also take part in a business forum. The following day, the two leaders will board the Shinkansen, or bullet train, to visit a semiconductor plant and meet with the governors of Japan's prefectures.
The journey of the two Prime Ministers on the Shinkansen also showcases Japan's dedication to India's future bullet train service, according to the second individual. The E10 Shinkansen project is anticipated to become part of a new transportation partnership that will be announced by both sides. A representative from the Prime Minister’s Office did not reply to an email inquiry regarding this topic. Previously, Tokyo had agreed to launch the latest E10 Shinkansen model simultaneously in both India and Japan, as reported by HT in January. India was initially set to receive an older model, the E5 Shinkansen, but Modi’s strong enthusiasm for the project and his excellent relationship with Japanese leaders resulted in a "very positive outcome," the sources stated.
Producing bullet trains in India will be beneficial for everyone, as it will meet the increasing transportation demands in the country and these trains could also be exported to other nations. According to the first individual, India’s affordable production capabilities combined with Japan's advanced technology, known for its impeccable quality checks, make this an excellent project. The E5 Shinkansen can reach a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour, while the E10 Shinkansen, which is still being tested in Japan, can go up to 400 kilometers per hour. The ALFA-X has been used to try out new technologies that will be incorporated into the E10 Shinkansen, which is likely to start operating in 2030. Discussing the progress made on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed train project, the second individual mentioned that the initial 50 kilometers of the project in Gujarat is expected to start running in 2027, with the entire project finished by 2029.
Both individuals mentioned expressed that safety is the main focus for the Japanese aspect, particularly because the Shinkansen has a history of no accidents leading to deaths or injuries of passengers since it first started in 1964.
