Ready for India’s First Bullet Train? Here Are its Top Features

PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will lay the foundation stone for the train on Wednesday.

India to get its first bullet train. Photo used for representational purpose.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

We don’t know if Indians are ready to take a ride in the first bullet train in the country, but the hi-tech train will surely be ready for India latest by 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone for India’s first bullet train on 14 September.

Let’s take a look at its top features:

A Unique Undersea Route

Currently 11 stations are proposed in its plan starting from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. It will start from Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex. Most of the corridor will be on the ground except for a 21 km underground tunnel between Thane and Virar out of which 7 km will be undersea before emerging above the ground.

Currently 11 stations are proposed in its plan starting from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Photo used for representational purpose.(Photo: Reuters)

Shorter Duration Between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

Currently a train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad takes around 7 hours on an average. But with a top speed of 350 km, the new bullet train will crunch the time down to two hours, The Indian Express reported.

Another report by the Hindustan Times said that there will be two types of trains, one of which will take 2:58 hours, while the rapid high-speed one will finish the journey in 2:07 hours.

Noise-Free

To prevent damaging tunnel boom due to loud noise produced by uneven air pressure when the train exits a tunnel at high speed, the train will have a long nose, The Indian Express reported. Moreover, sound absorbing materials will be used to make the train which will make it noise-free.

Sound absorbing materials will be used to make the train which will make it noise-free. Photo used for representational purpose.(Photo: iStock)

Stylish Seats

The Japanese E5 Series Shinkansen train will have a total capacity of 731 standard seats and 55 Business class seats.

A Little Tough on The Pocket?

The project is estimated at Rs 1.08 lakh crore, according to Firstpost, which also entails that the rate is going be much higher than those of regular AC trains. Although a formal rate chart hasn't been finalised, as per the Economic Times, the price of tickets is expected to range between Rs 2,700-3,000. A differing report in Hindustan Times said that the fare maybe as high as Rs 5,000.