Japan to Gift E5, E3 Series Shinkansen Trains to India for Bullet Train Project
New Delhi, April 16, 2025: In a significant boost to India’s ambitious bullet train project, Japan will gift two Shinkansen train sets—the E5 and E3 series—at no cost to assist with testing and inspection of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. According to a report by The Japan Times, these train sets are expected to arrive in early 2026 and will be fully equipped with inspection instruments designed to collect critical operational data under Indian environmental conditions.
The gifted Shinkansen sets will enable Indian authorities to assess the challenges posed by India’s heat, dust, and varied terrain, making them essential for refining both technology and design for the country’s first bullet train line.
The E5 series, developed by East Japan Railway (JR East), has been in service since 2011 and can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. Initially selected for India’s passenger service, the E5 is renowned for its streamlined design and state-of-the-art safety systems. The E3 series, while slightly older, is recognized for its reliability and smooth operations on Japan’s regional high-speed routes.
While the E5 and E3 will be utilized for technical assessments, India and Japan plan to deploy the next-generation E10 series (Alfa-X) for passenger services starting in the early 2030s. However, as the partial opening of the corridor is set for August 2027, the E10 will not be ready in time. Insights gained from the E5 and E3 trains will help inform the final design of the E10, which will be tailored to meet Indian needs, such as increased luggage space and enhanced weather resilience.
The bullet train project is part of a broader modernization initiative under India’s National Rail Plan 2030. It is primarily funded through a soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which covers 80% of the total project cost. This loan comes with highly favorable terms—a 0.1% interest rate over 50 years, making it financially viable for long-term development.
Japan has previously supported similar high-speed rail initiatives, most notably in Taiwan. The donation to India showcases ongoing international cooperation in sustainable infrastructure development.
The arrival of the Shinkansen in India signifies more than just a technological upgrade; it represents a significant leap towards meeting global standards in safety, punctuality, and passenger comfort.
