India’s first bullet train being built in Bengaluru:Will travel at 280 kmph; sandbags being used to test its weight-bearing capacity

India’s first indigenous bullet train is being built at the BEML plant in Bengaluru. It is being manufactured for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared a video showing the making of the bullet train. According to the Railway Ministry, the train has been designed for Indian conditions. The focus has been placed on passenger comfort, easy accessibility and improved operations. Features of the bullet train… Images related to the bullet train… Focus on Passenger Facilities Special attention has been paid to passenger comfort inside the train. The seats have been designed keeping in mind the average body size of Indian passengers. The seats will offer sufficient legroom and comfortable seating. The coaches will have LED lighting, overhead luggage racks and additional floor stands for large bags. Power outlets will also be provided for laptops and mobile devices. Modern bio-digester toilets will be installed to help reduce wastewater and waste. Each row of seats will have wide windows, giving passengers a better view of the outside. A sealed, single-piece gangway connecting the coaches will allow passengers to move from one coach to another. Information and Entertainment Facilities A passenger information system will be installed on the train. Information related to the journey will be displayed in English, Hindi and regional languages on LCD screens installed inside the coaches. Audio information will also be provided through the public address system and automatic announcements. Emergency talk-back units will be installed in the passenger cabins and vestibules. Through these units, passengers will be able to speak directly to train staff when required. The Wi-Fi-based passenger infotainment system will allow passengers to watch pre-loaded entertainment content during the journey. Facilities for Passengers with Disabilities The train’s design also incorporates the needs of persons with disabilities and passengers with reduced mobility. The coach floor will be level with the platform, making it easier to board the train. Retractable footsteps fitted to the doors will reduce the horizontal gap between the train and the platform. Separate seats and toilets will be available for persons with disabilities and PRM passengers. Wheelchair-accessible doors and information indicators featuring Braille will also be installed. This will make the journey more convenient for passengers with reduced mobility. Design Taking Weather and Noise into Account Each coach will have two heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units. This system will control the temperature and humidity inside. This will provide passengers with a comfortable environment in different weather conditions. Several measures have also been taken to reduce noise and vibrations during the journey. Sound insulation has been installed in the train’s body and floor structure. In addition, noise-damping coatings, skirts, bogie covers and aerodynamic fairings will be used. These features are intended to reduce external noise and improve the travel experience. Technical Capacity and Energy Savings The train will operate on a 25 kV, 50 Hz single-phase AC traction system. It will receive power through a heavy compound catenary. The train will have a regenerative braking system. During braking, the system will recover energy and feed it back into the electrical system. This will help improve energy efficiency. The train’s aerodynamic design has been developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This computer-based technique is used to study airflow around the train. The train’s nose and car-body profiles have been optimised to reduce air resistance and turbulence. This will also help reduce the impact of pressure waves in tunnels and sonic booms. The HVAC roof profile, roof panels and airflow deflectors have also been incorporated into the aerodynamic design. Special wind-guiding profiles fitted on the outside will improve airflow. The sealed car body will control pressure differences and maintain passenger comfort. This feature will be particularly useful at high speeds and while travelling through tunnels. ​