Parliament Question: Coach Manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5994 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 COACH MANUFACTURING FACILITIES IN MAHARASHTRA 5994. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE: PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD: SMT. SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any review of coach manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra and if so, the steps taken to develop new facilities or upgrade existing plants in the State; (b) the details of expenditure incurred by the Railways for the development of coach manufacturing units in the said State during the last five years, project and district-wise; (c) whether the Government has proposed any new initiatives to enhance indigenous coach manufacturing capacity in the said State to meet the growing demand for modern trains and high-speed rail projects and if so, the details thereof; (d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to ensure timely completion of these projects, improve quality standards and integrated advanced technology in coach production; and (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to generate skilled employment opportunities and enhance local industrial participation through coach manufacturing initiatives in the said State? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (e) Presently, coaches are being manufactured in Indian Railways’ three operational coach manufacturing units viz. Integral Coach Factory/Chennai, Rail Coach Factory/Kapurthala and Modern Coach § Page 1 of 3Factory/Raebareli. These units are manufacturing a wide range of passenger rolling stock including mainline LHB coaches, train sets like Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, Rapid and Regional Metro rakes, Kolkata Metro Rakes, Amrit Bharat trains etc. In order to enhance indigenous coach manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for modern trains, Indian Railways has taken following action – • Marathwada Rail Coach Factory (MRCF) at Latur, Maharashtra has been set up at a cost of Rs. 685.79 Cr. The manufacture of 120 nos. Vande Bharat trainsets has been taken up at MRCF, Latur through Technology Partner. • Also, Indian Railways has taken up the work of setting up of Railway Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet, Telangana at a cost of Rs. 521.36 Cr where manufacturing of modern Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU) is planned. The work of Rail Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet is at an advanced stage with civil and electrical infrastructure nearing completion. Apart from Railway’s own units, presently Public Sector Units like BEML are also engaged in manufacture of Vande Bharat Sleeper & LHB General/ Sleeper class coaches etc. Indian Railways has adopted a multi pronged approach to ensure timely completion, quality improvement and integration of advanced technologies in coach production: ● Technology Upgradation: Adoption of robotic/semi-automatic welding, CNC machining, automation and next-generation manufacturing systems, advanced braking systems, coupling technologies and modern manufacturing Practices. ● Quality Improvement: Strengthening of testing facilities and validation systems. Developing dedicated testing infrastructure and collaboration with external laboratories for compliance with international standards. ● Digitalization & Smart Systems: Introduction of digital production monitoring, data analytics and onboard diagnostics. Page 2 of 3As regards skill development, Indian Railways have a comprehensive training ecosystem which provides for different sets of training interventions at various stages of career to ensure skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling of Railway Employees. To make this possible, elaborate infrastructure has been developed by the Indian Railways in form of training centres across Zonal Railways and Production Units. Detailed training modules as per prescribed periodicity are available for respective categories at initial and promotional stages along with refresher courses as well as specialized training courses, laying emphasis on practical aspects which help the employees in skill upgradation and assimilation with related advanced technology. These modules are also updated keeping in view the technological changes in working practice. Further, with a view to ensure structured and systematic training on coach manufacturing, concerned employees are provided training as per detailed training modules which cover various aspects relevant to that field. The modules include exposure to fabrication techniques, welding processes, bogie systems, electrical etc. required for coach production. Besides, Indian Railways also conducts Apprenticeship Training Programme at its various units like Production Units, Workshops, Loco Sheds, Carriage and Wagon Depots etc under the provisions of Apprentices Act, 1961, which also contributes to skill development in trades such as fitter, welder, electrician and machinist. ***** Page 3 of 3