Wagon, coach, component makers smell business

At a time when railways minister Dinesh Trivedi, has been at the receiving end from political parties for increasing fares, manufacturers of wagons, coaches and rail components have thrown their weight behind his proposals in the railway budget and said it would lead the railways to a higher level.
Umesh Chowdhary, vice chairman & MD, Titagarh Wagons said the upgradation of track, signalling bridges, rolling stock etc are steps towards that direction.“One very positive aspect of the budget is the announcement of the logistics corporation to use and develop railway yards as freight terminals. This will increase the private train traffic significantly and will be a positive for the wagon industry too,” he said and added that reintroduction of the wagon investment scheme was also positive for the industry. The operating ratio target of 74-75% is a positive initiative, Chowdhary said.
“The National Policy on railways is needed to provide 10% of total infrastructure spend on railways,” said Ramesh Maheshwari,” executive V-C of Texmaco Rail & Engineering. He said the budget has focused on accelerated development of double deck container flat wagons, autocars, and new design 25T axle load freight cars.
The increase in planned investments as against investments in the previous years, which will mean increased business opportunities for infrastructure companies was highlighted as one of the positives by Sanjay Chandra, chief executive (railways), KEC International. “Announcement of creation of a separate secretary for PPP projects reflects a sense of purpose to attract investments in railways. All this will result in higher investment in railway projects over the next 10 years,” he said. Ruia Group chairman P K Ruia, which owns Jessop, said the minister has indeed presented a vision in his budget. “Independent tariff authority and a dedicated Railways designing wing of National Institute of Design are also needs of the hour.
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