Japan will supply one E5 and one E3 series Shinkansen train to India at no cost for use as inspection vehicles on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, currently under construction in western India. According to a report by Japan Times, The trains are expected to be delivered in early 2026 after being equipped with inspection equipment.
The vehicles will be used to gather operational data under Indian conditions, such as high temperatures and dust levels. The information is intended to support the potential local production of the E10 series, which is planned for future deployment on the line.
The 500-kilometer corridor is scheduled to begin partial operations in August 2027. However, the E10 series, expected to be adopted as the passenger train model for the project, is not likely to be delivered in time for the initial launch. In the interim, India plans to operate modified domestically manufactured semi-high-speed trains on the line.
Originally, India had intended to use E5 series trains for passenger service, but rising costs and delays in delivery led to a shift toward using locally made rolling stock. In response, the Japanese side proposed providing the E5 and E3 series trains for inspection purposes and introducing the newer E10 trains for eventual passenger service.
The project’s funding is primarily backed by low-interest yen loans from the Japanese government, which are expected to cover approximately 80% of the total cost. The original project estimate was around JPY 1.8 trillion. With projected costs rising, a new loan framework is being discussed to accommodate the introduction of the E10 trains.
The inspection trains provided by Japan are part of a broader strategy to integrate Shinkansen technology into India’s high-speed railway system.