CHENNAI: Having achieved a record output of producing 2005 coaches in the last production year, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is now gearing to roll out 160 kmph speed Train Set, called Train-18. This train that would have a speed of 160kmph, will have three-phase propulsion equipment underslung and all coaches will be inter-connected with fully sealed gangways, said ICF general manager, Sudhanshu Mani, who was speaking after the Republic Day celebrations at ICF stadium on Thursday.
He said ICF is capable of manufacturing train set at two-third the cost of the same set in the international market. He also added that ICF is capable of producing metro coaches at a much lesser cost than the prevailing market prices, and discussions are on for rolling out coaches for metros. Overall, earnings in Southern Railway showed a marginal decline compared to last year, said the Southern Railway general manager, Vashishta Johri, while speaking at RPF Parade Ground, Ayanavaram.
“Apportioned earnings are down by 1.8 per cent at Rs 5,505 crore. Though our originating passenger earnings of Rs 3470 crore reflects a marginal increase of 4 per cent over last year but freight earnings are down by 8.6 per cent at Rs 1,774 crore,” he said adding that the number of passengers carried was 600 million but freight loading at 23.8 tonne is down by 3.6 per cent over last year.
Highlighting the achievements of the zonal railways, he said to strengthen connectivity in southern Tamil Nadu, Southern Railway has commissioned 85 km of doubling in 273 km stretch of Villupuram-Dindigul section this year, and the rest is slated for completion by March 2017. “As against the allotment of Rs 63 crore this year, Southern Railway spent Rs 52 crore — 82 per cent of the grant — till December 2016 towards passenger amenities,” he added. Other areas of focus will be rolling onboard housekeeping services to more trains, developing 23 more Adarsh stations and development of 36 stations at places of religious importance,” he said.
