EMU manufacturing unit in Uttarpara will continue to operate.

Times of India reported that not all work will cease inside the premises of Hindustan Motors factory in Uttarpara. A portion of the original factory that was acquired by Titagarh Wagons Limited to build EMU rakes for the railways will continue to operate.

Sources in TWL said that the company is even expecting more orders with the railways planning to refurbish and replenish its fleet of EMU rakes.

Mr Umesh Chowdhary, vice chairman and MD of TWL, said that 'The suspension of work notice at Hind Motors will not affect us in any way. Work at our unit will continue as before. The unit was originally the Heavy Engineering Division of Hindustan Motors that went to Hyderabad Industries which is a sister concern. We acquired the unit from Hyderabad Industries and things are normal there.'

In April 2005, TWL acquired the Heavy Engineering Division of Hyderabad Industries Limited within the Hindustan Motors factory in Uttarpara. The facility has a steel foundry, a fabrication cum machining unit and access to a rail siding. After taking over this unit, TWL indicated that it wishes to develop an EMU-manufacturing plant there and went in for a public issue to raise funds. The target of the company was to build 2 EMU rakes at Uttarpara per month. The plant received necessary certification from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation of the Indian Railways.

It was in 2007 that TWL received its first order for manufacture of an EMU prototype. In the next 5 years, the company built and supplied 8 EMU rakes to the railways. TWL then received further orders for manufacture of EMU and MEMU rakes. The company is now exploring the possibility of manufacturing Metro coaches.


STEELGURU