Japan would provide India's bullet train project with Shinkansen E5 & E3 series as Gift.

 



Japan will give India two Shinkansen train sets, the E5 and E3 series, for free. The Japan Times reported this on Tuesday. The goal is to test the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, which is being built.

The two trains will arrive in early 2026. They will be equipped with special inspection gear. They will gather important data, especially about India's hot weather and dust.

The E10 series is set to arrive in the early 2030s. It might also run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line. But it won't be ready for the August 2027 partial opening.

Testing the E5 and E3 trains will help Japan perfect the E10 design. This is the next Shinkansen model that both countries will use by the early 2030s.

The E5 series is a high-speed train made by East Japan Railway (JR East). It started running in 2011. It can go as fast as 320 kmph and was once chosen for India's bullet train.
The E3 series is a bit older and used for mini-shinkansen services. Both trains are known for their sleek designs and advanced safety features. They also offer a smooth ride.
India had planned to use the E5 trains, but delays and rising costs made them rethink. Now, they're giving these trains to India again. They're also moving to the E10 model, known as Alfa-X, which can go up to 400 kmph. This shows Japan's latest in rail technology.

The Shinkansen is more than a fast train. It's a symbol of modern engineering, punctuality, and safety. Its introduction in India through the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is a big step for Indian railways.

By using the E5 and E3 trains for inspection, India will learn about the technology. This will help before the E10 is fully introduced. This move also shows a long-term plan to adapt the Shinkansen to Indian conditions.

To accommodate more luggage and endure inclement weather, the trains will undergo modifications.  This is in line with the National Rail Plan 2030, which is India's overarching rail modernization goal.

 A low-interest loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is used to finance the bullet train project.This covers about 80 per cent of the costs. The repayment is spread over 50 years at just 0.1 per cent interest, making it sustainable for India.
This isn’t the first time Japan has shared its Shinkansen technology abroad. 

When Taiwan built its high-speed rail network, Japan provided a first-generation train for testing. The gesture to India now continues that tradition.


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