Is public sector major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) the main reason for the inordinate delay of the Mumbai's first air-conditioned local train?
Is public sector major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) the main reason for the inordinate delay of the Mumbai's first air-conditioned local train?
BHEL, in partnership with Netherlands-based train major Strukton, is supplying the electrical system and the train control software for the rake. Both these items have been under construction for almost two years now and have missed several deadlines.
In a text reply to dna on whether the delay in the construction of the electrical motors and the Train Control and Management Sytem (TCMS) being provided by BHEL was the cause of the delay, Integral Coach Factory - Chennai general manager AK Agarwal replied 'Yes'. He refused to elaborate further. Agarwal, however, maintained that such delays or hiccups are natural for any 'developmental order' railway lingo for the construction of a new segment or product. "Since it is the creation of a completely new product, there are chances for such delays," Agarwal told dna over phone.
Agarwal, however, reiterated that the new deadline for the completion of construction of the rake (December 2015) will be met. dna, in its August 28 edition, had broke the news that the train was now expected only by early 2016.
While Dutch firm Strukton replied to dna's mail and asked the paper to get in touch with BHEL since the contract for the AC rake was between BHEL and ICF, queries sent to BHEL went unanswered. This is despite repeated mails to BHEL's Transportation Systems Group executive director B Vishwanatha, and general manager P Bansal over the past fortnight. TSG is overseeing the construction fo the AC rake's electricals and electronics.
A message sent to railway minister Suresh Prabhu on whether ICF and BHEL would be pulled up and fined for the delay too went unanswered.
The first AC local for Mumbai, according to Railways is a completely new product, with all-new electrical motors and 15-tonne roof-mounted air-conditioner units, the heaviest ever used on Indian rails.
A history of delays:
Feb 2012: AC local announced in 2012-2013 rail budget
Feb 2014: Then UPA govt sets July 2014 as new deadline
March 2014: Construction supposed to start; but only design of the rake's interiors finalised. Delay in sending electrical motors by BHEL to railways
June 2014: July 2014 deadline pushed back to late 2014
Aug-Sept 2014: Construction of shells of the rake begin at ICF Chennai
Sept 2014: Deadline pushed back to January 2015
Jan 2015: New deadline set as July 2015
April 2015: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu says trials of rake to begin in Mumbai by September
June 2015: New deadline set as October 2
Aug 2015- Deadline revised as December, which ICF says will be maintained
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