The Integral Coach Factory at Chennai and the railway ministry have replied with different numbers on a query raised by dna.
It seems as if nobody in the railways is sure how many air-conditioned rakes will be produced for Mumbai. The Integral Coach Factory at Chennai and the railway ministry have replied with different numbers on a query raised by dna.
While ICF Chennai spoke of ten rakes to be built over the next few years with electrical systems being provided by Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL), the railway ministry's reply duly signed by A Rastogi, Director, Mechanical (Production Units), received by dna on September 21, communicates of just seven rakes.
In its reply the railway ministry states, "The first air-conditioned rake is required to undergo field trials. Further rakes will be taken up for production only after successful trials and passenger feedback. This rake is out of an order of 7 rakes for which order for propulsion systems had been placed on BHEL"
ICF in its RTI reply had said that the project started with a Railway Board letter of acceptance dated November 23, 2010, finalising the purchase of 40 electrical traction motors for all 10 rakes at one go. The cost for these motors—four for each of the 10 rakes—was set at Rs167.47 crore excluding taxes and duties. On the same day, a purchase order worth Rs7 crore for other electrical equipment for the first rake was also finalised, the ICF had said.
As per the agreement between BHEL and Strukton Rail, the Netherlands-based firm will be providing electrical systems for the 10 AC rakes to BHEL in various phases. The first phase has been completed with the supply of systems for two rakes, the second phase will see the company provide the electrical units for another four rakes. The last phase will work on an 'as per order' mechanism with Strukton supplying electrics for the remaining four rakes as and when BHEL orders for them.
A long delayed journey1- 2010- The AC rake first envisaged under letter no. 2010/Elect (Dev)/181/82- November 23, 2010- Electrics (traction motors) for 10 rakes finalised ta a total cost of Rs 167,47,28.560 (Rs 167.47 crores)3- November 23, 2010- Other electrical equipment for one rake ordered at Rs 7 crores4- Feb 2012- Announced for the first time in 2012-2013 railway budget5- June 5, 2010- Railway Board gives contract to ICF Chennai to build first rake6- Feb 2014- Rail budget sets new deadline for rake as July 20147) August-September 2014- construction of shells of the rake begin at ICF Chennai8) March 31, 2016- Rake leaves for Mumbai from Chennai 9) April 5, 2016- Rake arrives at CR's Kurla carshed10) September 5, 2016- Field trial of rake yet to begin
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "AC local")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}