Title - ICF rolls out 1,620 coaches with more safety features and comfort, sets record

India’s premier coach manufacturing unit, ICF Chennai, has set a new record by rolling out 1,620 coaches during the just concluded fiscal of 2012-13.

The new record surpasses the production of 1,500 rolling stocks in 2011-12.

Speaking to reporters after flagging off a 1600-Horse Power Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) and a High Speed Self-Propelled Accident Relief Train (HS SPART) here on Monday, Keshav Chandra, Member-Mechanical, Railway Board, said all the 60 railway divisions in the country would be equipped with SPART before 2016.

“As of now, 26 railway divisions have accident relief trains. The new SPART, with air-conditioned operation theatre, is headed for the Bilaspur Division of South East Central Railway,” he added.

He said steps were being taken to manufacture more DEMUs to meet the growing requirement. “The salient feature of the DEMU with 3-phase AC transmission is its indigenous technology. It is meant for South Central Railway,” he stated. Earlier, V Ramachandran, Director General, Railway Design and Standards Organisation, said the new DEMU is the first-of-its-kind in India.

“It can run at a speed of 105 kmph, when compared to the 1400 HP DEMU, which has an efficiency of 100 kmph. The DEMU has a passenger capacity of 2,900,” he stated.

The DEMU coach is made of stainless steel and comprises a GPS-based Passenger Information System (Digital display with Audio) and a remote monitoring system through GPS/GPRS/CDMA, for real-time fault diagnostics.

Pankaj Kumar, Chief Mechanical Engineer, ICF Chennai, said 13 eight-car rakes for the Kolkata Metro Rail were part of their total production in 2012-13.