Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the prototype of the Vande Bullet train is slated for completion in 2027, with production planned to commence in the second half of the year. This announcement was made during the inauguration of BEML's high-speed rail manufacturing facility, Aditya, located in Bengaluru.

The Aditya plant is outfitted with advanced precision manufacturing equipment, including a robotic laser welding machine designed to ensure robust weld strength. The Vande Bullet train, a significant step in India’s self-reliant high-speed rail development, has been jointly designed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and BEML.

In addition to the new high-speed train project, Vaishnaw unveiled plans for a new Vande Sleeper service connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai. This would become the country’s second Vande Sleeper route, following the Kamakhya (Guwahati) to Howrah (Kolkata) service, which began commercial operations in January.

Expanding the reach of Vande Bharat services remains a priority, the minister stated, highlighting that the entire coastal Karnataka region will soon be served by these trains. Additionally, a Vande Bharat Express featuring chair car coaches is expected to operate connecting Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and extending towards Madgaon.

Regarding the proposed high-speed rail corridor between Chennai and Bengaluru, Vaishnaw projected a significant reduction in travel time. The corridor is expected to shorten the journey to approximately 73 minutes, effectively linking the two cities into an integrated metropolitan hub. This development aligns with broader efforts to enhance intercity connectivity and foster regional economic integration through advanced rail infrastructure.