Indian Railways Cancels Rs.300 Bn Vande Bharat Trains Tender to Alstom
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Indian Railways Cancels Rs.300 Bn Vande Bharat Trains Tender to Alstom

Indian Railways has cancelled a ?300 billion tender awarded to Alstom India for the manufacturing of 100 Vande Bharat trains. The cancellation follows concerns over procedural issues and has sparked discussions within the industry.

The tender, one of the largest in the railway sector, was initially seen as a significant step towards enhancing India?s semi-high-speed train capabilities. Alstom, a global leader in rail transport solutions, had been selected to supply these advanced trains, which are a flagship initiative under the government's push for modernising the Indian railway network.

However, the decision to cancel the tender was reportedly influenced by internal reviews that raised questions about the bidding and evaluation process. Specific details regarding the issues have not been disclosed, but the decision indicates a need for stricter adherence to procurement norms and transparency in the tendering process.

This cancellation may delay the production and deployment of the new Vande Bharat trains, which are integral to Indian Railways' plan to expand its fleet of high-efficiency trains that offer better speed, comfort, and safety. The current Vande Bharat trains have been well-received by passengers for their state-of-the-art facilities and are seen as a symbol of India's engineering prowess in rail transport.

The move has also led to concerns within the industry about the impact on future tenders and the overall timeline for rolling out the Vande Bharat trains. Indian Railways is expected to reissue the tender with revised terms and conditions, aiming to attract competitive bids while ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Alstom India, which had been preparing to execute the contract, has not officially commented on the cancellation. The company had anticipated this project as a major contribution to its operations in India, further solidifying its presence in the country?s growing rail sector.

As Indian Railways revisits the tendering process, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the project progresses and whether it impacts the government's broader objectives of upgrading the nation's railway infrastructure.

Indian Railways has cancelled a ?300 billion tender awarded to Alstom India for the manufacturing of 100 Vande Bharat trains. The cancellation follows concerns over procedural issues and has sparked discussions within the industry. The tender, one of the largest in the railway sector, was initially seen as a significant step towards enhancing India?s semi-high-speed train capabilities. Alstom, a global leader in rail transport solutions, had been selected to supply these advanced trains, which are a flagship initiative under the government's push for modernising the Indian railway network. However, the decision to cancel the tender was reportedly influenced by internal reviews that raised questions about the bidding and evaluation process. Specific details regarding the issues have not been disclosed, but the decision indicates a need for stricter adherence to procurement norms and transparency in the tendering process. This cancellation may delay the production and deployment of the new Vande Bharat trains, which are integral to Indian Railways' plan to expand its fleet of high-efficiency trains that offer better speed, comfort, and safety. The current Vande Bharat trains have been well-received by passengers for their state-of-the-art facilities and are seen as a symbol of India's engineering prowess in rail transport. The move has also led to concerns within the industry about the impact on future tenders and the overall timeline for rolling out the Vande Bharat trains. Indian Railways is expected to reissue the tender with revised terms and conditions, aiming to attract competitive bids while ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. Alstom India, which had been preparing to execute the contract, has not officially commented on the cancellation. The company had anticipated this project as a major contribution to its operations in India, further solidifying its presence in the country?s growing rail sector. As Indian Railways revisits the tendering process, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the project progresses and whether it impacts the government's broader objectives of upgrading the nation's railway infrastructure.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Aadhaar Authentications Cross 27 Billion in FY25

Aadhaar authentication transactions surged past 27.07 billion in FY 2024–25, including 2.47 billion in March alone, reflecting its growing adoption across sectors such as banking, finance, telecom, and public service delivery. Since its inception, the cumulative number of Aadhaar authentication transactions has exceeded 148 billion.The Unique Identification Authority of India’s (UIDAI) AI/ML-based face authentication technology is also witnessing a sharp rise in usage. In March 2025 alone, over 150 million face authentication transactions were recorded. This biometric modality is now used ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

IEPFA Holds Preparatory Meet for 'Niveshak Shivir' Initiative

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, hosted a preparatory meeting on April 28, 2025, with Nodal Officers from stakeholder companies via video conference. The session, chaired by IEPFA CEO Smt. Anita Shah Akella, focused on finalising operational plans for the upcoming ""Niveshak Shivir"" initiative—a joint effort between IEPFA and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).""Niveshak Shivir"" aims to improve investor services and streamline the claims process by reaching out to cities with a high nu..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India, France Sign Deal for 26 Rafale-Marine Jets for Navy

India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy, comprising 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets. The deal also includes training systems, simulators, associated equipment, weapons, and performance-based logistics, along with additional equipment for the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet.The IGA was signed by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu. The agreement, along with supply protocols for aircraft and weapons, was exchanged in the..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?