India’s first batch of prototype stainless EMU coaches to be used as suburban trains has been flagged off by Mr Sukhbir Singh, member (Electrical) of Railway Board, at Howrah station. Built by Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons Ltd, each rake, comprising of 9 new type of coaches, costs INR 9 crore. According to Mr Singh the Indian Railways has an ambitious plan to acquire more such rakes, mostly from private sector coach manufacturers. The Railway Board has placed orders for 6 such rakes with Titagarh Wagon and 4 with Jessop & Co. and there is a proposal to shortly invite bids for 21 such rakes with the hope that more private sector coach builders would respond. Reports have it that the Railways will be shortly in need of an estimated 3,000 such coaches, costing several thousand crore of rupees.
