The first modern rail coach is set to be rolled out from the Rae Bareli factory in Uttar Pradesh next month.

The factory, which will manufacture lightweight stainless steel coaches, is expected to cater to the Railways' increasing demand for coaches by rolling out about 1,000 units yearly.

“Our target is to manufacture 1,000 coaches every year, but we would produce 60 coaches a year for the first two years according to the first phase production target,” a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project said.

While foundation stone for the Rs 1,685-crore Rae Bareli coach factory was laid by the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, on February 13, 2007, the inauguration for construction of the factory was done by her on January 27, 2009.

“The coach factory spread over 1,500 acres of land is entirely eco-friendly and we have adhered to the highest standard of pollution safety norms,” the official said, adding that the first phase “always takes time as it involves acquiring land, procuring machineries and finalising contracts.”

IRCON has been given the responsibility to execute the project where about 100 railway staff have also been deployed.

“We have already started the work for the second phase, and we are hopeful to meet the production target,” he said.

Currently, the Railways requires about 4,000 coaches a year with the launch of nearly 100 new trains every year. The annual requirement, however, is likely to go up to 6,000 coaches, according to the Vision 2010.

While the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala produces 1,600 coaches, the output at Chennai coach factory is 1,500 a year. Railways procures 450 coaches from BEML.

The Railways has also finalised plan to set up coach factory at Kanchrapara, Haldia and Palghat.

“The manufacturing of coaches at Rae Bareli factory is crucial for Railways as we depend upon it to meet our growing requirement,” the official said.

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