Delivery of 200 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches likely to get delayed
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Delivery of 200 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches likely to get delayed

It was suggested that the arrival of 200 sleeper variant Vande Bharat trains may face delays, as negotiations regarding modifications to the design of coaches and train length under the nearly Rs 600 billion supply and maintenance contract are still ongoing. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that progress on the prototype for the sleeper trains, which was awarded as part of this contract, has also been slow due to these discussions.

Indian Railways is reportedly eager to acquire 24-coach trains, as outlined in the contract. A senior official, knowledgeable of the situation, explained that the contract terms allow for adjustments in the number of coaches per rake, with options for 12-, 16-, or 24-coach trains, without any increase in cost.

The contract to supply and maintain 200 sleeper trains was awarded to Kinet Railway Solutions, along with a consortium of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems (TRS) in mid-2023. Though prototype trains were meant to be presented within a year, both suppliers have yet to commence work on them.

In a separate development, BEML and Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai were awarded a contract to supply 10 trains. Some coaches from the BEML-ICF prototype were showcased earlier in the month, with the first commercial rollout expected later this year.

Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint Indo-Russian venture, was tasked with supplying 120 sleeper variant trains at a cost of Rs 120 crore per 16-coach rake. The BHEL-TRS consortium is to supply 80 trains at the same cost. A spokesperson from Kinet Railway Solutions confirmed that discussions with Indian Railways are ongoing to finalise the changes requested. Once the scope change details are agreed upon, a revised project timeline will be set. Kinet remains committed to delivering the contract in full cooperation with Indian Railways.

It was suggested that the arrival of 200 sleeper variant Vande Bharat trains may face delays, as negotiations regarding modifications to the design of coaches and train length under the nearly Rs 600 billion supply and maintenance contract are still ongoing. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that progress on the prototype for the sleeper trains, which was awarded as part of this contract, has also been slow due to these discussions. Indian Railways is reportedly eager to acquire 24-coach trains, as outlined in the contract. A senior official, knowledgeable of the situation, explained that the contract terms allow for adjustments in the number of coaches per rake, with options for 12-, 16-, or 24-coach trains, without any increase in cost. The contract to supply and maintain 200 sleeper trains was awarded to Kinet Railway Solutions, along with a consortium of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems (TRS) in mid-2023. Though prototype trains were meant to be presented within a year, both suppliers have yet to commence work on them. In a separate development, BEML and Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai were awarded a contract to supply 10 trains. Some coaches from the BEML-ICF prototype were showcased earlier in the month, with the first commercial rollout expected later this year. Kinet Railway Solutions, a joint Indo-Russian venture, was tasked with supplying 120 sleeper variant trains at a cost of Rs 120 crore per 16-coach rake. The BHEL-TRS consortium is to supply 80 trains at the same cost. A spokesperson from Kinet Railway Solutions confirmed that discussions with Indian Railways are ongoing to finalise the changes requested. Once the scope change details are agreed upon, a revised project timeline will be set. Kinet remains committed to delivering the contract in full cooperation with Indian Railways.

Next Story
Real Estate

Vikas Jain named President of NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen

Vikas Jain, CEO of Labdhi Lifestyle, has been appointed President of NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen, succeeding Ridham Gada, who now serves as Vice-Chairman. Jain, a first-generation developer and turnaround specialist, aims to steer the youth wing of NAREDCO Maharashtra through a finance-driven and tech-enabled growth phase. Under his leadership, the association will prioritise project financing, RERA compliance, technology adoption, and future-ready leadership. “It is an honour to lead NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen. This platform empowers the next generation of real estate leaders,” Jain sai..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

TP Solar Crosses 4 GW Solar Output at Tamil Nadu Plant

TP Solar Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) and the manufacturing division of Tata Power, has announced a major production milestone—crossing 4 GW of solar module output at its advanced facility in Tamil Nadu.As of 31 May 2025, the plant has cumulatively manufactured 4.049 GW of solar modules and 1.441 GW of solar cells. This milestone underscores the company’s growing role in supporting India’s clean energy transition and self-reliance in renewable energy manufacturing.Looking ahead, TP Solar is targeting 3.7 GW of solar cell output and 3.7..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Aayush Art and Bullion Reports 1000 per cent Rise in FY25 Revenue

Aayush Art and Bullion Ltd (BSE: 540718), formerly AKM Creations Ltd, has announced its audited standalone financial results for H2 and the full financial year ending 31 March 2025, showcasing a sharp surge in both revenue and profitability. The company attributes this stellar performance to robust demand across its key verticals and strategic execution initiatives.For FY25, the company reported revenue of Rs 737.7 million, marking a 1,000 per cent year-on-year increase compared to Rs 73.3 million in FY24. Net profit for FY25 stood at Rs 18.1 million, a jump of 696 per cent over the Rs 2.6 mil..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?