A grand programme to mark the commencement of work for Bengal Wagon Industry was held at Kulti Gear Ground, Andal today. The programme was graced by Honorable Union Steel Minister, Shri Virbhadra Singh, Honorable Union Minister of Railways, Ms Mamata Banerjee, Chairman, SAIL, Mr. C.S Verma, Members of Railway Board and other senior officials.
While speaking on the occasion Steel Minister Shri Singh said that the event was a reflection of the winds of change that were blowing again in Bengal through such initiatives by Railways. “The facility will be a path-breaking venture and play a significant role in fulfilling the growing requirement of wagons”, he added. Mr. Singh stated that he is looking forward to the day when steel industry in India will be in a position to meet all the requirements of railways.
Railways Minister Ms Bannerjee said, “Steel, coal and railways will together determine the development of this region”.
Chairman, SAIL Mr C.S. Verma stated, “Indian Railways and SAIL have a long and strong association. The Indian Railways has been providing the critical service of transporting practically all of SAIL’s raw material and finished products. SAIL’s share in total freight business of Railways is about 7 per cent in both volume and monetary terms. Today’s event is a significant milestone in this journey together and SAIL is open to more such collaborations with the Railways to meet all the future needs of the nation.
The unit for which work commenced today will be erected in the premises of SAIL Growth Works, Kulti. The capital investment in the first phase would be Rs. 85 crore and Rs. 120 crore in the second phase.. Erection and Commissioning of Phase-I will be carried out in 14 months. The facility would manufacture and sell wagons to Indian Railways as well as other domestic and overseas customers, carry out prototyping of wagons & manufacture of fabricated items/components for railway vehicles, rehabilitate wagons for SAIL, Indian Railways & other domestic consumers and rehabilitate industrial locomotives for domestic market. Initially the facility will have capacity of 250 wagons per annum, which shall be ramped up to 1200 wagons per annum (BOXN type wagons including specialized high end wagons) over a period of 2-3 years. Besides, rehabilitation of 300 wagons can also be carried out. The plant will also be able to produce specialized high-end wagons and modern stainless steel wagons with marginal investment in Plant & Machinery.
Work begins at Bengal Wagon Industry (a SAIL-RITES JV), Kulti
Photo Caption: (Front row, R to L) Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh, Union Minister of Railways Ms Mamata Bannerjee, SAIL Chairman, Mr C.S. Verma and Minister of State for Shipping, Shri Mukul Roy at the ceremony for commencement of work at Bengal Wagon Industry, Kulti
As per Vision 2020 document of Indian Railways, projected requirement of wagons is around 29,000 Vehicle Units (VUs) per year. The existing manufacturing facilities in private/public sector and railways’ owned units is around 15,000, thereby resulting in a shortfall of about 14,000 VUs per year. The Bengal Wagon Industries Private Limited shall play a major role in fulfilling the requirement.
Commencement of work for augmentation of electric locomotive manufacturing capacity at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (by remote) was also inaugurated during the programme.
