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Production of Train 18 halted
Why in news
- India’s first semi high-speed train, or Train18 manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai has stopped its production.
- The goal of rolling out 10 of these trains this fiscal, now remains a non-starter despite floating of tenders.
More in news
- Why has the production stopped(1) The design of the train has been found to violate certain specifications and it will be reconsidered at drawing table stage.(2) The primary issue is that the production made dozens of deviations from the specifications prescribed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).(3) After the vigilance inquiry, engineers are now hesitant to use the traction transformer and other electrics procured for the first train.(4) There is also an allegation that only one company was favoured in making if the train which costs 97-crore each Train 18 a success story(5) The Vande Bharat Express, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi runs between New Delhi and Varanasi.(7) The objective was to roll out a world-class train at the lowest possible cost and highest output in terms of operational efficiency, safety and comfort.(8) The train, is indigenously built in accordance with industry-standard specifications by Team ICF in a record time of 18 months.(9) It is celebrated as one of the most successful products under “Make in India” initiative.
- What ICF engineers have to say
(1)There was no compromise on safety. The train has been successfully running for the past six months at high speeds between New Delhi and Varanasi.
(2) If the engineers had strictly adhered to RDSO specifications, the axle load of Train18 would have been much higher resulting in less speed. Also, the cost would have been on the higher side.
- Fear among supplier : Because the work has been stopped suppliers of parts in and around Chennai who had worked equally diligently to make the project a success and who have invested crores of rupees in the project are now worried.
Source
The Hindu