DB Engineering & Consultancy join hands with BEML for High-Speed Train Project in India

MRT Online Desk Posted on: 2024-12-16 11:20:00 Viewer: 2,106 Comments: 0 Country: India City: New Delhi

DB Engineering & Consultancy join hands with BEML for High-Speed Train Project in India

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): DB Engineering & Consultancy (DB E&C) has been appointed as the Design Verification Consultant for BEML's groundbreaking high-speed train project, marking a significant step towards India’s ambitious rail infrastructure development. With its expertise in Rolling Stock design, design verification, and specification preparation, DB E&C will help BEML lay the groundwork for manufacturing standard gauge high-speed trains, aligning with India’s "Make in India" initiative and the government’s Gatishakti program.

A senior DB E&C official highlighted, "Our collaboration will provide BEML with the technical foundation to develop world-class high-speed trains, fostering India's vision of modernizing its rail network."

In October 2024, BEML Ltd. secured a prestigious contract worth ₹866.87 crore from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), under the Ministry of Railways, to supply two high-speed train sets for India’s rapidly growing rail network. This contract is a crucial part of the ongoing 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, often referred to as the country's bullet train initiative.

The contract involves the design and manufacturing of two prototype train sets, each with eight coaches, valued at ₹27.86 crore per train. This price includes costs related to design, development, and necessary investments in jigs, fixtures, tooling, and testing infrastructure, all of which will contribute to future high-speed rail projects in India.

These trains will be indigenously built at BEML’s state-of-the-art rail coach complex in CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru. Designed to reach a maximum speed of 280 km/h with operational speeds of up to 250 km/h, these trains are poised to revolutionize Indian rail travel. BEML has committed to delivering both train sets by the end of 2026.

Cutting-Edge Features and Passenger Comfort

The high-speed trains will be fully air-conditioned, featuring a modern chair car configuration for enhanced passenger comfort. Key amenities will include:

  • Reclining and rotatable seats for added convenience
  • Special provisions for passengers with reduced mobility
  • Onboard infotainment systems for an engaging travel experience

BEML will also partner with Medha Servo Drives, known for its contribution to the Vande Bharat trains, for the development of the propulsion system. Additionally, Poland's EC Engineering will provide design consultancy, bringing international expertise to this pivotal project.

Procurement and Technical Specifications

ICF launched the bidding process for these train sets on September 5, 2024, with BEML emerging as the sole bidder when technical bids were opened on September 19, 2024. The prototype trains will incorporate the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signaling system, ensuring cutting-edge safety and operational efficiency.

Each train set will feature:

  • Five standard cars with 78 seats each
  • One executive car with 52 seats
  • Two driving cars with 44 seats each

The cars will have a width of 3.35 meters and a height ranging from 3.65 meters to 3.85 meters. Testing will take place on the 46 km Surat–Bilimora section of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, part of the larger MAHSR project.

Shinkansen Debate and Future Implications

As BEML embarks on this historic project, attention also turns to the procurement of 18 E5 series Shinkansen bullet trains, capable of reaching speeds of 320 km/h for the MAHSR project. At an estimated cost of ₹48 crore per Shinkansen coach—nearly double BEML's proposed rate—questions have arisen about cost-effectiveness. However, as economies of scale come into play with larger orders, costs are expected to reduce.

The National Rail Plan (NRP) announced by India’s Ministry of Railways in 2020 outlines a vision for 13 high-speed rail corridors totaling 7,897 km. This strategic vision highlights the necessity of enhancing India’s domestic rolling stock capabilities to meet future transportation demands.

With the ambitious delivery timeline set for late 2026, BEML’s high-speed train initiative represents a major milestone in India’s journey toward modernizing its rail infrastructure. As the country sets its sights on world-class transportation systems, the collaboration with DB E&C brings hope for a new era of efficient, sustainable, and high-speed rail travel across India.

  




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