How will high-speed train drivers be recruited in India and what will be the salary difference compared to regular drivers?

India's first high-speed railway is preparing to enter service. Construction work on both tracks and stations is proceeding at an accelerated pace. After ten years since the project began, the launch date for the high-speed train has been virtually determined.

The Bullet Train Project started in India in 2017. Phased operation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail line is planned to begin on August 15 of next year. Despite the project taking longer than initially anticipated, and according to reports, the cost having roughly doubled, the project continues to gain momentum. Videos of work on tracks and stations are regularly published by Indian Railways on social media, causing widespread resonance.

According to available data, work on launching the first phase of the high-speed train on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad section is scheduled for August 15, 2027. The Surat-Bilimora section may start operating as early as August. Trains will be launched in phases. The speed of these high-speed trains will range from 280 to 350 kilometers per hour. These trains, codenamed B-28, are being built using advanced precision control technology to suit Indian operating conditions.

The Bullet Train project will introduce Japanese Shinkansen technology into Indian Railways. The first train will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, significantly reducing travel time between the two major Indian cities. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is 508 kilometers long. The high-speed train will travel at an average speed of about 300 kilometers per hour between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Previously, the journey between these cities on the fastest trains took approximately six hours, whereas after the high-speed train launches, this distance can be covered in just two hours.

According to available information, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor will have stops at 12 key stations. These include Mumbai (BKC), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.

It is important to note that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project is only part of a broader program of high-speed rail transport for Indian Railways. A total of seven such corridors are planned. These include: Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri via Patna.

The Vande Bharat train series, which began its journey in 2019 as a premium daytime service with 'chair-car' class coaches, is now expanding its scope to night routes. It is expected that the introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper trains will enable semi-high-speed rail journeys over longer distances.

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper trains started operating on the Guwahati-Howrah route earlier this year. The second set is undergoing trials; although a potential route between Bangalore and Mumbai was discussed, there is no official confirmation from the railway yet, so the next passenger route has not been determined.

Indian Railways is preparing for a massive expansion of its Vande Bharat sleeper fleet. According to the current plan, a total of 260 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches are to be prepared. This will increase the network of fast and modern trains for long-distance night travel, providing faster service on routes requiring overnight journeys.

Under the existing plan, the 260 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches will be manufactured by various companies and production units. These include: Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) – 10 units, Chennai Integral Coach Factory (ICF) – 50 units, Kinet Railway Solutions (KRS) – 120 units, and Titagarh-BHEL – 80 units.

BEML has been tasked with preparing the first 10 sets, each consisting of 16 coaches. ICF, in turn, will produce 50 sets of 24 coaches, including a restaurant car. Officials stated that the drawings for this have already been developed.

Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint venture between Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and the Russian company Transmashholding (TMH), is responsible for manufacturing 120 sets. All these sets will be assembled in Latur, and each train will have 16 coaches. RVNL reported that production has already begun. At the 23rd Annual General Meeting, Chairman Salim Ahmed noted that the prototype readiness deadline has been changed: the initial deadline of June 2026 has been extended to March 31, 2027.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed as a semi-high-speed night train. Its design speed is 180 km/h, but the actual operational speed can reach 160 km/h depending on the route and railway infrastructure. Unlike traditional locomotive-hauled trains, the Vande Bharat Sleeper uses a distributed power system. With this technology, traction is provided not by a separate engine, but by an acceleration system installed in each coach. This allows the train to reach high speeds and brake quickly. This technology helps the train increase its average speed and reduce travel time.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed as a semi-high-speed night train and incorporates technical features inspired by modern European railway systems. It can be argued that passengers will receive benefits in these trains surpassing those of Rajdhani trains, with a level of luxury comparable to air travel. The existing 16-coach prototype includes 11 AC 3-Tier coaches, 4 AC 2-Tier coaches, and 1 AC First Class coach. A new design with berths and access to upper bunks has been developed for passenger convenience. To make the night journey comfortable, the train is equipped with nighttime lighting, an integrated announcement system, display panels, CCTV cameras, a modular restaurant car, reading lamps, charging points, and lounge tables.

Great attention has also been paid to the safety of the Vande Bharat Sleeper. The train features sealed passages and automatic connecting doors, as well as automatic station doors. For passenger convenience, toilets with a bio-vacuum system and separate showers for people with disabilities are provided. The AC First Class coach also offers shower facilities and hot water. From a safety perspective, the train integrates features such as Kavach, regenerative braking, a centralized coach monitoring system, and an emergency communication system. The expansion of Vande Bharat Sleeper could be a significant change for long-distance passengers. Nevertheless, before launching new services, testing of prototypes, certification, and preparation of relevant routes must be completed.