In a major boost to India’s rapid rail transit advancement, Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd (RKFL), a significant player in metal engineering and manufacturing, proudly announced on April 15 its receipt of a substantial ₹270 crore ($35 million) order. A consortium with heavy electricals powerhouse Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at the helm has entrusted RKFL with the supply of critical components – bogie frames – for the next-gen Vande Bharat train sets.
This collaboration is not merely a business transaction but a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing India’s railway infrastructure by introducing a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat express trains. The scope of the project as outlined by RKFL underscores the complexity and magnitude of the task. Collectively, these train sets will involve the production and validation of a slew of bogie frames, pushing the boundaries of rail engineering in the country.
The company, headquartered in Kolkata, has delineated the contours of the project, revealing that it entails the crafting of 1,024 bogie frames structured across 32 train sets, each encompassing 16 coaches. Emphasizing the significance of the partnership with BHEL, RKFL notes the deal’s value at a handsome ₹270 crore ($35 million) and clearly specifies that the supply is for the BHEL TRSL consortium.
Lalit Kumar Khetan, the Whole Time Director & CFO of Ramkrishna Forgings Limited, conveyed the significance of this achievement, expressing that it is a testament to the company’s unyielding commitment to quality and innovativeness. He articulated the company’s aspirations to bolster the ‘Make in India’ initiative and propel the enhancement of the railway transportation framework within the country. Khetan highlighted RKFL’s endeavour to leverage its specialization in crafting high-caliber bogie frames, reinforcing the company’s stature as an industry vanguard.
RKFL’s reputation as a robust forge master isn’t confined to Indian shores. The company has carved out a reputation for producing premium closed-die forgings made of carbon and alloy steel, micro-alloy steel, as well as stainless steel forgings. In its pursuit of operational and customer-service excellence, Ramkrishna Forgings has expanded its geographic footprint, marking its presence beyond India to strategic global locations, including the US, Mexico, Turkey, and Belgium.
The Vande Bharat project signals a pivotal step for India’s domestic rail industry, transitioning towards high-speed and comfortable inter-city travel. Vande Bharat trains, also known as Train 18, were introduced by Indian Railways and have shattered the stereotypes of railway commute in India with their ultra-modern design and superior travel dynamics.
With the introduction of sleeper versions through orders like the one procured by RKFL, the Vande Bharat initiative is aiming for an inclusive transformation by providing advanced train sets that offer both seating and sleeping arrangements. Such enhancements are bound to improve long-distance journeys, merging speed with comfort, thereby revolutionizing the Indian train travel experience.
The order is a clear reflection of the Indian Government’s initiatives to modernize and expand the country’s railway infrastructure while promoting indigenous manufacturing—cornerstones of the ‘Make in India’ movement. As Indian travellers increasingly look towards more efficient and comfortable modes of transport, the development of high-speed rail corridors equipped with world-class train sets like Vande Bharat is a milestone in meeting these contemporary needs.
In conclusion, the landmark order is likely to propel Ramkrishna Forgings into a new orbit of growth while contributing substantially to shaping the future framework of Indian Railways. Enhancements to rail travel through such innovations pledge not only to change the landscape of domestic travel but also to mark India’s emerging prowess in high-speed rail technology on the global platform.
