Indian Railways has cancelled a ?300 billion tender awarded to Alstom India for the manufacturing of 100 Vande Bharat trains. The cancellation follows concerns over procedural issues and has sparked discussions within the industry.
The tender, one of the largest in the railway sector, was initially seen as a significant step towards enhancing India?s semi-high-speed train capabilities. Alstom, a global leader in rail transport solutions, had been selected to supply these advanced trains, which are a flagship initiative under the government's push for modernising the Indian railway network.
However, the decision to cancel the tender was reportedly influenced by internal reviews that raised questions about the bidding and evaluation process. Specific details regarding the issues have not been disclosed, but the decision indicates a need for stricter adherence to procurement norms and transparency in the tendering process.
This cancellation may delay the production and deployment of the new Vande Bharat trains, which are integral to Indian Railways' plan to expand its fleet of high-efficiency trains that offer better speed, comfort, and safety. The current Vande Bharat trains have been well-received by passengers for their state-of-the-art facilities and are seen as a symbol of India's engineering prowess in rail transport.
The move has also led to concerns within the industry about the impact on future tenders and the overall timeline for rolling out the Vande Bharat trains. Indian Railways is expected to reissue the tender with revised terms and conditions, aiming to attract competitive bids while ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Alstom India, which had been preparing to execute the contract, has not officially commented on the cancellation. The company had anticipated this project as a major contribution to its operations in India, further solidifying its presence in the country?s growing rail sector.
As Indian Railways revisits the tendering process, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the project progresses and whether it impacts the government's broader objectives of upgrading the nation's railway infrastructure.
