Indian Railways boosts PM Modi's Make in India initiative and here is how you benefit

In the last four-and-a-half years, Indian Railways has not only replaced its ageing infrastructure, but it has also introduced a number of new trains with world-class passenger amenities. This has not only helped the Railways to improve its image but has also, notably, given a boost to PM Narendra Modi's Make in India push. From state-of-the-art Train 18 to Dynamic Tamping Express, the Indian Railways has made some laudable moves to ensure greater safety and comfort for passengers. Take a look at some of these outstanding developments:

Train 18: Soon to be launched for the public, the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has manufactured Train 18 with 80% per cent indigenous components. The cost of the train has been estimated at Rs 97 crore, almost half the cost if of the import equivalent. The imported parts include seats, plug, sliding doors, pantry equipment which amounts to around 20 per cent.

"When I joined ICF in 2016, I realised that the officers, supervisors and staff of ICF had a certain level of unexploited capability and also an enthusiasm to do something which was never tried out by Indian Railways earlier. They had doubts, for sure!" Sudhanshu Mani, General Manager, ICF revealed to ZeeBiz.Com.

He then quoted celebrate playwright William Shakespeare, “Doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we might oft win, by fearing to attempt”. "My job was to remove the doubts and encourage them to not fear attempting and take up this project.  In addition, I also had to get the sanction of the Railway Board. I managed to do both and that’s how the story of Train 18 began," he said.

Train18 180km/h trials on..I got active here on 18/11 mainly to counter the fake news mercenaries with a tweet,"trials started, even as fake news lumpen grumble..not just a train, it's blood, sweat & tears of ICF, it's conceptualize, design, engineer & build dream Make in India pic.twitter.com/NwBStI50W1

— ManiSudhanshu (@ManiSudhanshu58) December 2, 2018

Mani further added, "Train 18 is not simply a ‘Make in India’ project. It is conceptualised, design, engineer and build in India without any fancy disabling TOT but enabled through consultancy contracts and use of the technical prowess of ICF staff. ICF has been able to build this never before train in 18 months, a historical achievement, in my opinion and all the credit goes to the wonderful team members of ICF".

Train 18, manufactured domestically under the 'Make in India' initiative, seen scorching the tracks at a phenomenal 180 kmph during speed trials in Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/jDjtykQyc7

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 6, 2018

Dynamic Tamping Express: Indian Railway has inducted three numbers of 09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express machines. These are state of the art integrated track maintenance machines. The New 09-3X- Dynamic Tamping Express, which costs about Rs 27 crore each, is the latest high output integrated machine having multiple functions. Significantly, these machines have been manufactured in India under Make In India initiative with imported components.

Enhancing Track Safety in Railways: Govt. introduces new 'Make in India' 09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express machines to eliminate manual measurement of track quality, which will improve the safety, reliability & economy in maintenance of tracks.https://t.co/DEZltfYYnC pic.twitter.com/hYk71NKZDs

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 6, 2018

Massive 12,000 HP Electric Engine:  Indian Railways is manufacturing 12,000 HP freight locomotive at its Madhepura Factory in collaboration with Alstom SA of France. These locomotives are not only faster, they also have higher hauling capacity. Thanks to 12,000 horsepower engine, each double section locomotive has a hauling capacity of 6,000 tonnes and speed of 120km/hr. The first locomotive was part of a $3.5 billion order comprising 800 electric double-section locomotives signed in 2015.

In a fillip to @MakeInIndia initiative of the Govt. and giving boost to employment opportunities, here is a look at the sprawling rail locomotive plant in Madhepura, Bihar, giving wings to India’s first 12,000 Horsepower electric engine. pic.twitter.com/WVZDbtKjoW

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 20, 2018

GE's Diesel Locomotive Factory: The GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt Ltd has also set up a Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhaura, Saran district, Bihar for manufacture and supply of 1000 high power Diesel Electric Locomotives over a period of 10 years. GE is also setting up a locomotive maintenance unit (one of two) at Roza (Shahjahanpur, UP) to service the locomotive factory coming up in Marhaura.

Not only this, the train like Gatimaan, Tejas, Humsafar, and Anubhuti coaches are also a result of the Make In India push. PM Modi's ambitious bullet train project will also be crucial for the Make In India initiative. These initiatives have resulted in job creation as well as several related economic benefits as well as enhanced and improved service for passengers.