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India's first home-built bullet train nears a key safety test
India's first indigenous bullet train is nearing a key safety test at BEML's facility in Bengaluru.
The test checks whether the coach body can withstand heavy pressure without losing its shape or structural strength.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the test should finish next week, after which engineers will install the train's propulsion and electronic systems.
The train will then face tests in extreme heat and cold, dust and heavy rain.
BEML is building the first two trains, each with eight coaches and space for 557 passengers.
Railways plans to begin test runs on a 100-kilometre section between Surat and Vapi in the first quarter of 2027-2028.
Commercial service is scheduled for August 2027, while the full Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is targeted for completion by December 2030.
India’s first domestically built bullet train, known as B28 or Bharat 28, is undergoing a safety test of its first coach’s body shell.
The squeeze test at BEML’s Bengaluru facility is at its final stage and is expected to finish next week.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessed the test on Sunday and said propulsion and electronic systems will be installed afterward.
The train is planned to begin test runs on a 100-kilometre section between Surat and Vapi in the first quarter of 2027-2028.
Commercial service is scheduled for August 2027.
- Who
- BEML is manufacturing the trains, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessed the test.
- What
- The first coach’s body shell is undergoing a squeeze test, a safety assessment of its strength under pressure.
- When
- The test is expected to be completed next week. The article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- BEML’s facility in Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- The test checks whether the train body can withstand external forces without excessive deformation or structural failure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessed the squeeze test at BEML’s Bengaluru facility.
The squeeze test is expected to be completed.
Test runs are planned on the Surat-Vapi section.
Commercial service is scheduled to begin.
- Train
- B28, also called Bharat 28
- Manufacturer
- BEML
- Test location
- Bengaluru
- Planned test-run section
- Surat-Vapi, 100 kilometres
- Maximum operating speed
- 249 kmph
- Passenger capacity
- 557 on the eight-coach train
What people are saying
Squeeze test of the integrated car body is at final stage. After this, propulsion system will be placed and all electronic systems will be put in place. Subsequently, a climatic test will be carried out wherein the car will be subjected to tests at high temperature of 50 degree Celsius and negative temperature, and dusty and heavy rain environment conditions.