Delivery of 200 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches likely to get delayed

26 Sep 2024 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

07 Oct 2025

Paras Defence Subsidiary Wins Rs 460 Mn Anti-Drone Order

Paras Defence and Space Technologies (PDST) saw its shares rise 1.5 per cent to Rs 701 after its subsidiary, Paras Anti-Drone Technologies, secured a defence contract from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, valued at approximately Rs 460.19 million.The order covers the supply of Anti-Drone Systems, including Drone Jammers, marking a significant milestone for Paras Anti-Drone in India’s growing counter-UAV segment. The contract is scheduled for execution by March 2026. According to official filings, the award is from a domestic entity, not a related party transaction, and no promot..

Jindal Stainless Launches First Stainless Steel Fabrication Unit in Mumbai

Jindal Stainless, India’s largest stainless steel manufacturer, through its subsidiary Jindal Stainless Steelway (JSSL), has inaugurated its first stainless steel fabrication unit at Washivali, Patalganga, Mumbai. The 4 lakh sq ft facility is designed to serve the bridge sector, fabricating critical components such as girders, arches, nuts, bolts, and handles. The unit was inaugurated by CEO & CFO Tarun Khulbe in the presence of senior leadership.Developed with an initial investment of Rs 1.25 billion, the facility strengthens Jindal Stainless’ position as a provider of end-to-end fabr..

Hero Future Energies Secures Rs 19.08 Bn for 120 MW Hybrid Project

Hero Future Energies (HFE), through its SPV Clean Renewable Energy Hybrid Three, has secured Rs 19,080 million in funding from State Bank of India (lead) and Canara Bank for the development of its 120 MW renewable energy (RE) hybrid project in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.The project, contracted with SJVN, integrates wind, solar, and storage technologies to provide reliable peak power. The funding, structured with a 21-year repayment tenure, will support timely project execution and the commencement of commercial operations.This financial closure underscores the banking community’s confidence in ..