After B28, Railways plans ‘B35 bullet train’ for high speed corridor: All about the upgrade
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Context
The Indian Ministry of Railways is advancing its high-speed rail ambitions by planning the indigenous manufacturing of 'B35' bullet trains, following the ongoing development of the 'B28' model. The B28 trainsets, designed for speeds of 280 kmph, are being manufactured by the defence PSU under a contract from the . This initiative represents a strategic pivot towards self-reliance in rolling stock for the upcoming network of high-speed corridors, reducing dependency on foreign technology and imports from countries like Japan.
UPSC Perspectives
Economic
This indigenous bullet train project is a significant catalyst for the `Make in India` and `Aatmanirbhar Bharat` (self-reliant India) initiatives in a technologically advanced sector. By developing high-value rolling stock domestically, India aims to build significant backward and forward linkages. This includes stimulating demand for domestic industries like specialized steel, advanced electronics, and composite materials (backward), while simultaneously enhancing national connectivity, boosting business travel, tourism, and logistics efficiency (forward). The project, executed through a Public Sector Undertaking like , fosters domestic manufacturing capabilities and creates highly skilled jobs. In the long term, this move aligns with the goals of the `National Rail Plan 2030`, which envisages making India a global hub for railway manufacturing and exporting rolling stock.
Governance & Infrastructure
The development of B28 and B35 trains is a core component of India's ambitious infrastructure modernization, primarily driven by the `National Infrastructure Pipeline` (NIP). The creation of a 4,000 km high-speed rail network, as sanctioned in the recent budget, is a massive governance undertaking. It requires intricate coordination between central ministries and state governments for challenges like land acquisition—a key reason for delays in the . The decision to use domestically manufactured trains addresses potential delays and challenges in procuring rolling stock from Japan. Furthermore, mandating advanced safety and signaling technology like the `ETCS Level 2` system reflects a governance focus on adopting global best practices to ensure passenger safety and operational interoperability across the new corridors.
Science & Technology
The B28 and B35 projects signal a major leap in India's technological capabilities, moving from technology transfer to indigenous innovation. The process involves absorbing and adapting Shinkansen technology from the Japan-led and then developing proprietary designs. A critical technological upgrade is the implementation of the `ETCS Level 2` (European Train Control System), a radio-based signaling system. Unlike conventional track-side signals, ETCS Level 2 provides continuous communication between the train and the control center, allowing for real-time speed supervision and automatic train protection. This is essential for safely managing trains at speeds of 250-350 kmph and increasing track capacity, marking a significant advancement over the existing signaling infrastructure on the network.