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Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Hon'ble Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance laid the foundation stone of Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) Coach Factory at near Rupaheli Station, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Railways, Government of India, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. C. P. Joshi, former Railway Minister and Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Loksabha (Bhilwara) were present. Shri Arunendra Kumar, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Kul Bhushan, Member Electrical, Railway Board, Shri B. Prasada Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL, Shri R.C. Agrawal, General Manager, North Western Railway along with Head of Departments and other Hon'ble members of civil society also graced the occasion.

MEMU Coach Factory has been approved in the Rail Budget 2013-14 at an estimated cost of Rs. 800 crore. This factory is a joint effort of Indian Railways, Government of Rajasthan and BHEL. MOU between Ministry of Railways and BHEL was signed for setting up for this factory on 25.02.2013. MOU between Ministry of Railways and Government of Rajasthan for providing 518 acres of land free of cost for setting up for this factory was signed on 21.09.2013.

Once operational, this factory will meet the demand of MEMU Coaches on Indian Railways to a large extent. Besides, it will generate direct and indirect employment & give thrust to area development. With establishment of the factory Bhilwara will now have a new identity that of MEMU Coach Factory, besides being a textile city.

Entire cost of this factory will be incurred by BHEL. Presently the only source manufacturing of the MEMU coaches is Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala of Indian Railways, which has been manufacturing about 112 coaches per year. The new factory in Bhilwara will further facilitate the supply of additional MEMU coaches required by Indian Railways.

MEMU trains are very popular in non suburban sections. These trains are usually used by local commuters to commute from nearby rural areas and small towns to bigger cities for work. They have higher carrying capacity. MEMU trains ensure a better and economical mode of transport for people to commute daily for the livelihood. These trains are more powerful and have faster acceleration and deceleration as compared to conventional trains. This results in less running time resulting in saving of 30 percent in energy consumption. These trains are equipped with toilet and are vestibuled for greater passenger comfort.

Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge expressed special gratitude and thanked Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance, for having the graced this occasion.

Shri Kharge also appreciated the efforts of Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan Government, Shri Praful Patel, Hon'ble Industries and Public Enterprises Minister and Dr. C.P. Joshi, former Railway Minister and Member Parliament (Bhilwara), in setting of MEMU coach factory in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.