PM Modi's plan to run 75 Vande Bharat by 2024 hits a roadblock. Here's why
2 min read 30 May 2023, 10:11 PM ISTThe Kapurthala Rail Factory failed to deliver any in 2022-23 against a target of 32 citing supply shortages. Now, the factory has been tasked with delivering 64 Vande Bharat trains
PremiumPrime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious plan to run 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 2024, may not be fulfilled after-all. The Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, failed to deliver even one Vande Bharat train in 2022-23 against a projected target of 32, documents have revealed.
The Kapurthala Rail Factory has cited shortage of supply for the failure to meet their target of producing 32 Vande Bharat trains. Notably, the coach factory did not just fall short of its target to produce Vande Bharat trains, but also in the overall the production of all kinds of coaches.
In an desperate attempt to launch 75 Vande Bharat trains by 2024 August, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian Government and Indian Railways has put into service every factory at its disposal -- not just the RCF, but even Modern Coach Factory, Rae Bareilly, Latur Rail Coach Factory and BHEL.
According to the document produced by the Kapurthala Rail factory, "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.
In its official statement the factory also further noted its production rate was affected by a spike in prices of raw materials which led to short fall in supply of trade items such as seats-berth, 60 KVA transformer, switch board cabinet, and shell components/ sub assemblies.
The factory saw a major shortfall in production at the end of FY 2022-23, having manufactured 1,478 coaches against a target of 1,885.
The factory could manufacture only 153 3HP MEMU trains till March 2023, against a target of 256, and also fell short of its target for LHB coaches, manufacturing 1,325 of it against the goal of 1,520.
Officials said the production of Vande Bharat trains in the factory is likely to begin by September 2024.
Notably, the factory which failed to deliver even one of 32 Vande Bharat trains, now has a target of 64 trains to be delivered, as set by the Indian Government.
Further, a senior ministry official said the RCF has not yet completed the process of approving the design sent by French multinational rolling stock manufacturer, Alstom, for Vande Bharat trains.
Out of 92 designs, only four have been approved, a delay that precludes any possibility of start of production of the semi-high speed trains in the current financial year.
