Will complete Kazipet manufacturing unit by August and hand it over to Railways: RVNL

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited on Tuesday said that it will complete the Kazipet Railway Manufacturing Unit in Telangana by August and hand it over to Indian Railways. "RVNL will complete the construction by next month and hand it over to Indian Railways," the company's CMD, Saleem Ahmad, told PTI on Tuesday. Earlier, on July 5, Railway Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satish Kumar visited the manufacturing unit and directed its timely completion and operationalisation. "RVNL has executed the project with a strong focus on engineering excellence, quality, sustainability, and timely delivery," Ahmad said. He added, "Equipped with advanced manufacturing technologies and modern industrial infrastructure, the Kazipet RMU will significantly strengthen India's rolling stock manufacturing capacity and support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. We remain committed to delivering infrastructure projects that create long-term value for Indian Railways and the nation." Earlier, the Railway Board CEO's visit was aimed at reviewing the progress of the Rs 597.68-crore flagship project, which is spread across nearly 160 acres. "During the inspection, Kumar directed officials to ensure the timely completion of the remaining works and the operationalisation of the Kazipet Railway Manufacturing Unit as per schedule," a press statement issued by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, said on Tuesday. "During the visit, he inspected the Main Manufacturing Shed, Coach Shop, Paint Shop and Final Testing Shop, reviewed the progress and operational readiness of the facilities, and held discussions with senior railway officials on the timely completion and operationalisation of the project," the press note stated. Officials said the Kazipet Railway Manufacturing Unit, once operational, will significantly enhance Indian Railways' rolling stock manufacturing capacity. Strategically located at Kazipet, a major junction under South Central Railway on the Balharshah–Secunderabad trunk route, the facility will provide seamless connectivity to the national railway network, enabling the efficient movement of raw materials and finished rolling stock, they added. "The Kazipet Railway Manufacturing Unit is a strategically important project that will significantly strengthen India's railway manufacturing ecosystem and support the growing requirements of Indian Railways," Kumar said. He added, "I am pleased with the progress achieved by RVNL in developing this world-class facility. Once operational, it will substantially enhance the country's rolling stock manufacturing capacity, support the production and maintenance of modern rolling stock, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to regional industrial development. "I have advised the project team to complete the remaining works as per schedule so that this important facility can be operationalised at the earliest." According to RVNL, the Railway Manufacturing Unit has been conceived as a versatile facility for manufacturing next-generation Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMUs), passenger coaches, trainsets and other modern rolling stock. It will also undertake the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of next-generation rolling stock, thereby strengthening lifecycle support for Indian Railways. In May, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also reviewed the progress of the Kazipet Railway Manufacturing Unit and said it was on the verge of completion. PTI JP NB