3BEML to supply railway coaches to Army

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, SEPT. 27. The public sector unit, Bharat Earth Movers Ltd., has obtained a big order for railway coaches from the Defence services. This is expected to contribute to the sustenance of the BEML which, over the past few years, has been hard hit by a lack of adequate orders.

At a function held at the BEML's Bangalore Complex on Thursday, a few railway coaches and wagons forming part of the first consignment of the Army's order to the BEML were handed over to Brig. Rajiv Tandon of the Army Headquarters, by Dr. K. Aprameyan, Chairman and Managing Director, BEML.

Dr. Aprameyan said the BEML was holding talks to supply rolling stock to metro railway corporations. The company would like to serve as a nodal agency for the supply of rolling stock, and that could also turn out to be a big order for it. With orders from the Defence sector, the BEML's turnover during the current year was expected to touch Rs. 1,500 crores, he said.

The BEML, with an employee strength of nearly 14,000, was the first public sector undertaking to manufacture coaches and wagons for the Railways. However, the orders from the Railways started decreasing from 1994-1995 following a cut in the Railway Budget, and this prompted the BEML to look at other potential customers. In the last financial year, the orders for coaches stopped.

Dr. Aprameyan said that against the first batch of orders from the Army, the BEML would supply 30 passenger coaches and 336 special wagons. The broadgauge coaches (``Milrail'' coaches) would be utilised for the movement of troops both during peace time and exigencies. The special wagons would be utilised for carrying Army trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. He added that the order was worth around Rs. 100 crores.

In the coming year, the BEML was confident of obtaining orders worth Rs. 150 crores from the Defence sector. It was likely to supply around 600 coaches and wagons to the Army next year. The Defence sector orders would open up a new marketing line for the BEML, and it was confident of satisfying the demands of its new client.

Dr. Aprameyan said the BEML had obtained the ISO 9000 certification sometime ago, and had, so far, manufactured 12,000 coaches for the Railways. Every second coach in the Railways was manufactured by the BEML. The Bangalore Complex of the BEML could manufacture 450 coaches per year, and the capacity could be expanded, if needed, he added.

He said the BEML had a good research and development wing, and rail coaches could be suitably altered based on the demands of the Defence sector. The BEML could also supply pantry cars, hospital coaches and air-conditioned coaches, he added.

Brig. Rajiv Tandon, Additional Director General (Movements), at the Army Headquarters, said the Defence sector, which was totally dependent on the Railways for the movement of troops and equipment, had decided to have its own coaches and wagons. It would continue to depend on the Railways for locomotives, to haul special Army trains. It would acquire a large number of coaches and wagons over a period, he added.

The Milrail coaches for the Army have an air-brake system unlike the conventional vacuum brake system. They have been provided with telecommunication facilities and a pantry, and each coach can accommodate up to 72 passengers. The coaches have been designed as per the stringent specifications of the Defence sector -- the outer shell is made of corrosion-resistant steel. The BEML has focused its attention on the manufacture of integral rail coaches, inspection cars, track-laying equipment, treasury vans, and electrical multiple units.

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