Chennai, Mar 15:
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai will now develop standard gauge Vande Bharat trains, only for export purposes.
Minister Vaishnaw was speaking on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of Qualcomm’s Chennai Design Center. The center was inaugurated by the minister Vaishnaw.
Standard gauge rakes are used in Railways across the world. Following the inauguration, the Minister said that presently, broad gauge Vande Bharat is being manufactured in ICF for use in the Indian Railway network.
“If we have to export Vande Bharat rakes five years from now we have to start now the process of designing as the process of designing, testing, getting national and international approval and manufacturing is a lengthy process. This will add to the export potential of ICF in Chennai, Tamil Nadu,” the minister said.
Vaishnaw also announced that wheels using the forging process will be manufactured in Tamil Nadu and the construction work has already started and production will commence in 16-18 months.
He said that this manufacturing unit in Gummidipoondi, Tamilnadu will have a huge production capacity of 2.5 lakhs per year.
“Of which, 80000 will be consumed in India and the remaining 1.7 lakhs will be exported,” the minister said.
Minister pointed out India has been an importer of forged wheels for the last 60-70 years and now with this plant being set up, India will become an exporter of forged wheels.
