Lok Sabha Question No. 5994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Coach Manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5994 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## COACH MANUFACTURING FACILITIES IN MAHARASHTRA

5994. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any review of coach manufacturing  facilities  in  Maharashtra  and  if  so,  the  steps  taken  to develop new facilities or upgrade existing plants in the State;
- (b) the details of expenditure incurred by the Railways for the development of coach manufacturing units in the said State during the last five years, project and district-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has proposed any new initiatives to enhance indigenous coach manufacturing capacity in the said State to meet the growing demand for modern trains and high-speed rail projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  timely completion of these projects, improve quality standards and integrated advanced technology in coach production; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  generate  skilled employment  opportunities  and  enhance  local  industrial  participation through coach manufacturing initiatives in the said State?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e)  Presently,  coaches  are  being  manufactured  in  Indian  Railways' three operational coach manufacturing units viz. Integral Coach Factory/Chennai, Rail Coach Factory/Kapurthala and Modern Coach

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Factory/Raebareli. These units are manufacturing a wide range of passenger  rolling  stock  including  mainline  LHB  coaches,  train  sets  like Vande  Bharat,  Namo  Bharat,  Rapid  and  Regional  Metro  rakes,  Kolkata

Metro Rakes, Amrit Bharat trains etc.

In order to enhance indigenous coach manufacturing capacity to meet the growing  demand  for  modern  trains,  Indian  Railways  has  taken  following action -

- Marathwada  Rail  Coach  Factory  (MRCF)  at  Latur,  Maharashtra  has been set up at a cost of Rs. 685.79 Cr. The manufacture of 120 nos. Vande  Bharat  trainsets  has  been  taken  up  at  MRCF,  Latur  through Technology Partner.
- Also, Indian Railways has taken up the work of setting up of Railway Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet, Telangana at a cost of Rs. 521.36 Cr where    manufacturing  of  modern  Mainline  Electric  Multiple  Units (MEMU) is planned. The work of Rail Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet is at an advanced stage with civil and electrical infrastructure nearing
- completion.

Apart from  Railway's  own  units,  presently  Public  Sector  Units  like  BEML are also engaged in manufacture of Vande Bharat Sleeper & LHB General/

Sleeper class coaches etc.

Indian  Railways  has  adopted  a  multi  pronged  approach  to  ensure  timely completion, quality improvement and integration of advanced technologies in coach production:

- Technology Upgradation: Adoption of robotic/semi-automatic welding, CNC machining, automation and next-generation manufacturing systems, advanced  braking systems, coupling technologies and modern manufacturing Practices.
- Quality Improvement: Strengthening of testing facilities and validation systems. Developing dedicated testing infrastructure and collaboration with external laboratories for compliance with international standards.
- Digitalization  &  Smart  Systems:  Introduction  of  digital  production monitoring, data analytics and onboard diagnostics.

As  regards  skill  development,  Indian  Railways  have  a  comprehensive training ecosystem which provides for different sets of training interventions at various stages of career to ensure skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling of Railway Employees. To make  this possible, elaborate infrastructure  has  been  developed  by  the  Indian  Railways  in  form  of training centres across Zonal Railways and Production Units.

Detailed  training  modules  as  per  prescribed  periodicity  are  available  for respective categories at initial and promotional stages along with refresher courses  as  well  as  specialized  training  courses,  laying  emphasis  on practical  aspects  which  help  the  employees  in  skill  upgradation  and assimilation  with  related  advanced  technology.  These  modules  are  also updated keeping in view the technological changes in working practice.

Further, with a view to ensure structured and systematic training on coach manufacturing, concerned employees are provided training as per detailed training  modules  which  cover  various  aspects  relevant  to  that  field.  The modules  include  exposure  to  fabrication  techniques,  welding  processes, bogie systems, electrical etc. required for coach production.

Besides, Indian Railways also conducts Apprenticeship Training Programme  at  its  various  units  like  Production  Units,  Workshops,  Loco Sheds, Carriage and Wagon Depots etc under the provisions of Apprentices Act,  1961,  which  also  contributes  to  skill  development  in  trades  such  as fitter, welder, electrician and machinist.

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