A groundbreaking announcement from Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, heralds the start of construction for an advanced manufacturing facility for forged wheels Tamil Nadu. This venture, a collaboration between India’s Railways and Ramakrishna Forgings, entails a formidable phase one investment of Rs 650 crore, showcasing a significant leap toward manufacturing sovereignty and global prominence in the railway sector.
Historically reliant on imports for over six decades to satisfy its need for these critical railway components, India is set to reverse this trend, charting a course to become a significant exporter. The upcoming facility boasts an annual production capacity of 2.5 lakh wheels, allocating 80,000 for domestic usage while earmarking the substantial balance of 1.7 lakh wheels for international markets. This pivot from importer to exporter of forged railway wheels underscores India’s burgeoning industrial acumen and strategic global positioning.
The minister also highlighted the technological advancements propelling the semi-high speed Vande Bharat trains, equipped with cutting-edge forged wheels, underscoring a departure from conventional methodologies employed in the production of standard train wheels. This innovation underscores India’s commitment to technological advancement in railway manufacturing.
Concurrently, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is gearing up to produce standard gauge Vande Bharat trains targeted at international markets. Esteemed as one of the globe’s premier rail coach factories, ICF has, since 1955, fabricated over 73,700 coaches and has successfully exported over 875 coaches and components valued at around Rs 1,004 crore to nations including Thailand, Myanmar, Taiwan, Zambia, and Vietnam.
This strategic expansion into forged wheel manufacturing, combined with ICF’s foray into producing trains for the global market, illustrates India’s ambitious blueprint for its rail infrastructure sector. Poised for a leading role in the export of rolling stock and components, India is set to redefine its status in the international arena.
This initiative not only aligns with the ‘Make in India’ campaign but also propels India’s competitive edge in the global railway industry, envisioning a future where Indian railways epitomize innovation, excellence, and global leadership.
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