Railways’ premier manufacturing unit, the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, failed to deliver even one Vande Bharat train in 2022-23 against a projected target of 32, paperwork have revealed, with the unit blaming its suppliers for not offering electrical parts for the train units.
The failure of the manufacturing unit to obtain its targets, sources indicated, might have an effect on the Railways’ formidable plans of operating 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 2024.
The coach manufacturing unit didn’t simply fall wanting its target to produce Vande Bharat trains, but in addition within the general the manufacturing of all types of coaches.
The manufacturing unit noticed a serious shortfall in manufacturing on the finish of FY 2022-23, having manufactured 1,478 coaches against a target of 1,885, in accordance to a doc accessed by PTI.
The manufacturing unit might manufacture solely 153 3HP MEMU trains until March 2023, against a target of 256, and in addition fell wanting its target for LHB coaches, manufacturing 1,325 of it against the aim of 1,520.
Officials mentioned the manufacturing of Vande Bharat trains within the manufacturing unit is probably going to start by September 2024. This yr, the Railway Board has given RCF Kapurthala a target of 64 Vande Bharat Express trains.
A senior ministry official mentioned the RCF has not but accomplished the method of approving the design despatched by French multinational rolling inventory producer, Alstom, for Vande Bharat trains.
Out of 92 designs, solely 4 have been accepted, a delay that precludes any chance of begin of manufacturing of the semi-high velocity trains within the present monetary yr.
The rail manufacturing unit has nevertheless put forth a collection of causes explaining why the manufacturing of assorted coaches and variants have been delayed.
According to the doc, it mentioned its manufacturing charge was affected by a spike in costs of uncooked supplies which led to quick fall in provide of commerce objects reminiscent of seats-berth, 60 KVA transformer, change board cupboard, and shell parts/ sub assemblies.
“There was serious shortage of wheel supply from May to September 2022 leading to loss of production. Production of 87 coaches was lost on this account. The delay in supply of electrics by BHEL resulted in production loss of MEMU rakes. VB Trainset Coaches delayed as RCF did not get electrics from M/s Medha,” the doc mentioned.
Desperate to lineup 75 trains by August 2024, the Railways has put into service each manufacturing unit at its disposal — not simply the RCF, however even Modern Coach Factory, Rae Bareilly, Latur Rail Coach Factory and BHEL.
ALSO READ |Â When Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw taught abilities associated to Vande Bharat Train to Assam CM Sarma- WATCH
WATCHÂ | First Vande Bharat of north-east
