Amid a significant push for the Vande Bharat categorical trains in India, the manufacturing of Vande Bharat sleeper trains has hit a big roadblock, with design finalisation nonetheless pending over 14 months after a three way partnership (JV) settlement was signed between an Indo-Russian consortium and Indian Railways.
The JV, led by Russian firm TMH (Transmashholding), which is chargeable for manufacturing 1,920 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches, has cited delays in finalizing the design as a consequence of new necessities imposed by Indian Railways.
These modifications, together with further bathrooms, baggage zones, and a pantry automobile in every coach, are stated to be complicating and prolonging the design course of.
Kirill Lipa, CEO of TMH, expressed frustration on the gradual tempo of decision-making and the impression it’s having on the mission timeline. “If Indian Railways will postpone the method additional, the timeline for execution will certainly be impacted. We’re keen to start manufacturing, however we’re spending months simply sending letters and ready for explanations,” Lipa stated.
He believes the excellent points may very well be resolved rapidly, stating that each one issues may very well be addressed in a matter of hours, but they continue to be unresolved.
The contract, price Rs 55,000 crore, was signed in September 2023 between Kinet Railway Options—a particular goal car (SPV) fashioned by TMH and Rail Vikas Nigam Restricted (RVNL), an Indian PSU—and Indian Railways.
It’s a part of India’s formidable plan to overtake its railway community with sooner and extra trendy trains, and the Vande Bharat sleeper coaches are anticipated to play a pivotal function on this modernization.
The problem was raised on the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Fee for Commerce, Financial, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGEC-TEC) assembly in Delhi final week, chaired by India’s Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Lipa expressed hope that the Indian authorities would supply readability and assist for resolving the design disputes, making certain that the mission might proceed easily.
“Whereas we’re not searching for strain from the Russian authorities, we do want clear explanations from Indian Railways. With the assist of Indian leaders, I’m optimistic that we’ll discover a decision and transfer ahead,” Lipa added.
Initially, the JV had hoped to unveil the primary prototype by the top of 2024. Nonetheless, the Indian Railways’ demand for design revisions has led to delays, prompting TMH to revise its projections.
Lipa now anticipates that the prototype could also be rolled out by the second quarter of 2025, with the ultimate supply set to be accomplished by the top of 2025 as per the contract phrases.
One of many most important points revolves across the elevated variety of bathrooms. Initially, the plan was for 3 bathrooms per coach, however the revised design requires 4, together with baggage compartments in each coach—options that weren’t a part of the unique tender.
The requirement for a pantry automobile on each prepare has additionally been added, considerably altering the prepare’s format and requiring further engineering work.
“These modifications will not be simply beauty; they have an effect on the complete coach design,” Lipa defined. “For instance, including a further rest room is just not a easy matter. It requires changes to the coach’s engineering infrastructure, together with window placements, seating preparations, and even the structural format.”
The pantry automobile requirement presents one other problem, because it entails advanced installations for cooking, electrical energy, heating, and water methods that should adjust to Indian Railways’ security requirements, together with fireplace security provisions. “This isn’t nearly including a kitchen; it’s a full engineering overhaul,” stated Lipa.
In response to those modifications, TMH has requested compensation and a proper re-signing of the contract to replicate the modifications and keep away from any future authorized problems. “We’ve got communicated these issues via official letters, together with a latest one on September 27, however the contract has not been renegotiated but,” Lipa stated.
As of now, the delay has raised issues about assembly the mission’s deadlines, which might additional impression the rollout of modernised sleeper trains geared toward enhancing journey consolation and effectivity throughout India’s huge railway community.
