INDIA’s railways minister Mr Piyush Goyal has set a target for the complete electrification of the country’s mainline network within five years, despite Indian Railways’ (IR) commitment to acquire 1000 diesel locomotives from GE, most of which will be built at a new plant at Marhoura in the eastern state of Bihar.

With India’s railway network suffering from overcapacity, the railway is exploring methods to improve efficiency, as Abhay Sharma, with Indian Railways Traffic Service (IRTS), explains.

INDIAN Railways’ Modern Coach Factory (MCF) is seeking expressions of interest to supply “world class” interiors for 1000 new LHB-type passenger coaches. A pre-bid meeting will be held in Raebareli on November 3 with bids to be submitted by November 23.

GERMAN Rail (DB) has agreed to provide technical support to Indian Railways (IR) for a feasibility study into raising the maximum line speed on the 634km Chennai - Kazipet line to 200km/h.

THE first ES43ACmi Evolution Series diesel locomotive for Indian Railways (IR) was unloaded at the Indian port of Mundra on October 11 after completing its sea voyage from the United States.

INDIAN Railways (IR) plans to build a hydrogen fuel cell and battery powered 300kW broad-gauge locomotive, and Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi has invited tenders by November 22 for components for the project.

BHARAT Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), India, is inviting high-power locomotive manufacturers to pre-qualify by October 12 for a tender to partner with it in the production and subsequent maintenance of a fleet 200 6.7MW electric locomotives for operation on the new dedicated freight corridors (DFC).

INDIAN prime minister Mr Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Mr Shinzo Abe officially launched civil works on India’s first high-speed line on September 14, when the two leaders laid a foundation stone in Ahmedabad for the 508km line to Mumbai.

THE Indian government confirmed on September 5 that Mr Piyush Goyal will replace Mr Suresh Prabhu as the country’s railways minister.