Chennai
A non-AC and an AC coach were ready for flag off at the ICF furnishing division. While the Non-AC coach was fitted with wheel disc manufactures by Rail Wheel Factory, Bengaluru, the AC coach has been provided with imported wheel assembly in ICF, the lone exception to its indigenous LHB production. ICF, which manufactured its first LHB coach in 2013, is producing LHB with 100 per cent indigenous content.
The premiere coach manufacturing unit is likely to double its coach production capacity in the current fiscal. Talking to DT Next, S Mani, ICF General manager, said that ICF has set a target of 800 – 900 LHB coaches in the 2017-18 financial year. ICF has set a target of 1,600 LHB coaches for 2018-19 financial year, Mani added. The Railway Ministry has already unveiled its plan to phase out conventional coaches by retrofitting them and scaling up production of LHB coaches in the wake of rise in derailments and accidents involving conventional coaches, which have been found to record relatively high number of casualties.
The indigenous coaches were scheduled to be flagged off on Wednesday by Ravindra Gupta, Member (rolling stock), Railway Board (RB). However, he did not keep the appointment. Officials now say the formal flag-off is likely to be held on Thursday.
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