India Aims to Use Only Made-in-India Components in Railways

Railway Board Chairman (CRB) V K Yadav said that the central government is aiming to use only the Made-in-India components in Railways, and trying to export products manufactured by the Railways.

Rail News: The central government is aiming to use only the Made-in-India components in Railways, and the imports should be reduced to zero. A top railway official said this on Friday. A day before this, Railways had decided to cancel the contract of the Chinese company in a signalling project. Railway Board Chairman (CRB) V K Yadav also said during an online media briefing that they are trying to export products manufactured by the Railways.

Most domestic companies allowed in railway tender

While answering the question of whether the railway is thinking of banning Chinese companies from participating in the auction of its infrastructure, Yadav said that most domestic companies are allowed in railway tenders. He said that mostly they are inviting the same tenders in which only local companies are being acknowledged.

He said that for the last two-three years, the Railways had taken many steps to reduce the number of imports. They have implemented Make-in-India initiative. For example, in our signalling system, the way we have introduced the tender policy, our Make-in-India share has increased to more than 70 per cent.

The target of exporting products manufactured in the Railways

Yadav said that his effort is to use as many Made-in-India products as possible and reduce the share of imports to zero. He told that they are taking steps to export the manufactured products in the railways. Railways said on Thursday that it has decided to terminate the contract of the Chinese company due to unsatisfactory progress on signalling and telecommunication work on the 417-kilometre section of the freight corridor between Kanpur and Mughalsarai.

Also Read: Indian Railways Boycotts China, Cancels Chinese Company’s Contract

Railways had awarded a contract of Rs 471 crore in 2016 to Beijing National Railway Research and Design Institute of Signal and Communication Group. Railways had estimated to complete the work by 2019, but till now only 20 per cent work has been completed.

Made-in-India in Railways will create an opportunity for locals

Amid lockdown, India is facing a severe economic slowdown, and many peoples have lost their jobs. To control this situation in the pandemic era, the central government has already explained to focus on “vocal for local.” PM Modi earlier said to adopt the campaign of “vocal for local” and to be “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. According to the experts, this historic decision of railways will create substantial job opportunities for the local peoples of India. Many new Indian companies can also participate in Railway tenders. Business experts say that MSMEs will also play an essential role in the development of Indian Railways.