In a significant boost to India's high-speed rail ambitions, Japan has agreed to provide two Shinkansen train sets—E5 and E3 series—free of cost to assist in testing and inspection of the under-construction Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. The trains are expected to arrive in early 2026, marking a milestone in Indo-Japanese infrastructure collaboration.

Key Points:

• Japan will donate two Shinkansen train sets, one each from the E5 and E3 series, to India for use in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. 
• The trains will be equipped with specialized inspection tools to gather operational data, aiding in adapting the technology to India's unique environmental conditions. 
• Delivery is scheduled for early 2026, facilitating trial runs and inspections ahead of the corridor's partial opening planned for August 2027. 
• Insights gained from these trials will inform the development of the next-generation E10 series Shinkansen, tailored for Indian conditions. 
• The initiative underscores Japan's commitment to supporting India's infrastructure development and the 'Make in India' campaign, with plans for future local production of bullet trains. 

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in India's journey towards establishing a robust high-speed rail network, leveraging advanced Japanese technology and fostering deeper bilateral ties.