PHOTO: S. THANTHONI

NEW PROJECT: Minister of State for Railways R. Velu laying the foundation for a welding training institute at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai on Friday.

CHENNAI: An advanced welding training institute will come up on the Integral Coach Factory premises by the end of next year.

Minister of State for Railways R.Velu, who laid the foundation for the institute, said it would impart training in various fields such as MIG welding, air plasma cutting and resistance and laser welding. The facility could be used by Southern Railway, South Central Railway, South Western Railway and Konkan Railway Corporation, besides the ICF and the Rail Wheel Factory. Mr. Velu said that to increase production at the ICF, adequate infrastructure would soon be added. Within the next two years, gauge conversion in the State would be completed.

ICF General Manager P. Raja Goundan said the current financial year was an eventful one for the ICF, as the organisation had manufactured 54 types of coaches as against 30 types last year. The institute would come up at a cost of Rs. 6.27 crore. The work would be completed in 18 months.

Mr. Velu also inaugurated a canteen constructed for the furnishing division, a golden jubilee park, a golden jubilee commemorative arch and a reservation centre for the ICF staff members.

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