The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is expected to supply metro-style, air-conditioned coaches for the Bengaluru suburban rail project. The development comes as ICF, a unit under the Railways Ministry, recently invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from design agencies to develop car-body, bogie, and interior designs for the rolling stock.

Coach Design & Features The coaches will not be Vande Metro but will have Metro-like AC designs tailored to the needs of Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RIDE). These will feature:

Stainless steel body

21.7m coach length

Bogie design for 95 kmph safe speed; 85 kmph operational speed

17-tonne axle load

Capacity: 1,052 passengers per six-coach train (seating + standing)

Passenger comfort: Lighting, ventilation, information systems, and accessibility features

Rolling Stock Procurement & Timeline K-RIDE, a joint venture between the Rail Ministry and Karnataka government, is responsible for the implementation of the broad-gauge suburban rail project.

Total Requirement: 51 trains (153 coaches) in Phase 1

ICF Commitment: 3-4 trains by December 2026

Realistic Deadline: 2028 (Considering design, production, and testing timelines)

Officials aim to begin operations on Corridor C2 (Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara) by December 2026, with Corridor 4 (Heelalige-Rajanakunte) expected to start earlier in December 2025.

Tender Exemption & Funding K-RIDE is procuring the coaches directly from ICF instead of a competitive tender process, which requires an exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act).

Funding Breakdown: Total Rolling Stock Cost: Rs 43 billion ($516 million)

State Contribution: Rs 21.35 billion ($256 million) (50%)

Union Government Contribution: Rs 21.35 billion ($256 million) (50%)

The Karnataka cabinet approved its share for the purchase of 306 coaches last year. Initially, K-RIDE planned to lease 50 six-coach trains (300 coaches) under a PPP model, but due to poor industry response, it had to shift to a direct purchase model.

Challenges & Way Forward The leasing model, recommended by the Centre in 2020, aimed to reduce project costs, bringing the overall budget down from Rs 186.21 billion ($2.2 billion) to Rs 157.67 billion ($1.89 billion). However, rolling stock firms hesitated due to high investments with low immediate returns, forcing a shift in procurement strategy.

The Railway Board has assured funding after securing NITI Aayog's approval, as the initial PPP model requirement must be re-evaluated.

With progress in rolling stock procurement, the Bengaluru suburban rail project is moving closer to reality, addressing the city's severe traffic congestion and public transport gaps.