Date:21/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/21/stories/2005102101900900.htm

Back Call to hike capacity utilisation by rail coach manufacturers

Our Bureau

Kolkata , Oct. 20

THE Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr R. Velu, has stressed higher capacity utilisation by rail coach manufacturers. Against a total demand of 1,900 coaches for this fiscal, the Railways' own outfits — Railway Coach Factory and Integral Coach Factory — supply roughly 900 units, and the balance being sourced from smaller private and public sector producers.

Addressing a press conference after visiting the facility of Jessop & Co here, the Minister said that apart from the Railways' own outfits, other coach manufacturers were suffering from low capacity utilisation.

Though conceding that inadequate free supplies of some components were affecting the supply, Mr Velu said steps were being taken to remove these constraints quickly. Commenting on Jessop, he said his department was reviewing the company's plea for more orders. It had received orders for nine rakes (81 coaches) last year.