The joint venture (JV) between a Russian rolling stock major and an Indian railway PSU inaugurated the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur, with plans to produce 1,920 modern sleeper coaches for Vande Bharat trains, equivalent to 120 trainsets. The first trainset is expected to be ready within two years.
The JV, named Kinet Railway Solutions, secured the contract to manufacture and maintain the coaches for 35 years. The project involves upgrading government manufacturing facilities and depots to meet global standards for production and maintenance. Kinet's managing director, Sathyamurthy K, stated that the plant serves not just as a manufacturing facility but as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the region, with over 10,000 people involved in the production chain. Kinet CEO, Alexandra Meluzova, emphasized that the project would generate significant employment opportunities for the area.
The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory covers 351 acres and features 11 advanced assembly stations, along with specialized workshops for various tasks such as car body assembly, testing, painting, and bogie work. The internal tracks extend to 8.6 kilometers. Additionally, the facility is designed with sustainability in mind, housing a solar power plant and a wastewater treatment facility to reduce its carbon footprint. To further support India's renewable energy goals, the site will have over 1,000 trees planted by the end of next year.
