Shinkansen launch, Japan (1964)
Japan opened the world's first high-speed rail line, the Tokaido Shinkansen, linking Tokyo and Osaka over 515 km. It cut travel time from about 6.5 hours to 4 hours, carrying passengers at speeds over 200 km/h from day one.
The line drew millions of riders in its first years and became profitable within seven years.
Shinkansen technology spread across Japan and later to Taiwan, and became the template for high-speed rail worldwide.
India is deploying the same Shinkansen system, with Japanese engineering and financing, adapted to Indian conditions. The Sabarmati bridge is one step in transplanting that 1964 technology to a new country.
