In a setback to the Indian Railways’ ambitious project of introducing Vande Bharat trains, the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala has failed to deliver a single train in the fiscal year 2022-23. The factory, which was projected to produce 32 Vande Bharat trains during this period, blamed its suppliers for not providing the necessary electrical components, according to documents accessed by Press Trust of India.
The consequences of the factory’s failure to meet its targets extend beyond the Vande Bharat trains alone. RCF Kapurthala also fell short in the overall production of various coaches. The factory manufactured only 1,478 coaches against a target of 1,885 for the fiscal year 2022-23, highlighting a significant shortfall in its production capabilities.
The delays in production at RCF Kapurthala have raised concerns about the Indian Railways’ plan to run 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 2024. If the factory cannot fulfill its production commitments, the Railway Board’s target may face significant challenges.
According to sources within the ministry, the delay in approving the design sent by French multinational rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has contributed to the production delays. Out of 92 designs, only four have been approved, further hindering the start of production of the semi-high-speed trains in the current financial year.
The document obtained by PTI sheds light on the reasons provided by RCF Kapurthala for the production delays. The factory cited a spike in raw material prices, resulting in a shortfall in the supply of trade items such as seats-berth, 60 KVA transformer, switchboard cabinets, and shell components/sub-assemblies. Furthermore, a shortage of wheel supply from May to September 2022 led to a loss of production, affecting the delivery of 87 coaches. The delay in the supply of electrics by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) also caused a production loss of MEMU rakes, while VB Trainset Coaches were delayed due to a lack of electrics from M/s Medha.
In an effort to expedite the project and meet the target of 75 Vande Bharat trains, the Indian Railways has mobilized all available factories, including the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareilly, Latur Rail Coach Factory, and BHEL.
The Railways’ failure to achieve its production targets raises concerns about the timely introduction of the Vande Bharat trains, which were expected to revolutionize train travel in India with their cutting-edge technology and superior passenger experience. It remains to be seen how the Railways will address these challenges and overcome the production delays to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative project.
As the Railways continues to work towards its goal of modernizing the country’s train network, close monitoring and efficient coordination among all stakeholders will be crucial to overcome hurdles and maintain the momentum towards a more advanced and efficient rail system.
