Wagon-makers welcome ‘robust’ policy
The new Railway Budget was generally welcomed by the wagon industry. Leading wagon-makers in the country felt that there were ample indications of a “quite robust” wagon policy which will be fuelled by other infrastructure development programmes. Interestingly, a few months ago, there were severe shortages of wagons.
“The railway minister has estimated a freight target of 1,047 million tonne for the coming year. We feel that this estimate probably could exceed in view of the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development. We think that in the wake of this thrust on infrastructure development, the demand for freight wagons will eventually be much higher than what we presume it to be and the traffic carrying can also be more than 1,047 million tonne, provided we have the wherewithal to carry this,” said J.P. Chowdhary, the chairman and managing director, Titagarh Wagons Ltd.
Ramesh Maheshwari, the executive vice-chairman, Texmaco Rail and Engineering Ltd, called for a paradigm shift in rolling stock procurement based on a five-year plan on a rolling basis. “The annual plan for the financial year 2014 at `63,400 crore, up by about 20 per cent on the current year spending, gives rise to some hope for enhanced off-take of rolling stock. The implementation of P-P-P projects in 12th Plan needs greater focus to improve the rail services without straining the railway finances. In particular, the containerised freight movement warrants a big fillip,” Mr Maheshwari. said.
“The huge potential to boost the freight earnings by extended network and long term plan for procurement of wagons is, however, being missed out owing to erratic planning. The plan to introduce long haul train carrying 10,000 tonnes freight load is a welcome step,” Mr Maheshwari added.
Pawan Kumar Ruia, chairman, Ruia Group, which owns Jessop & Co, also felt that the wagon procurement has to go up. “As a billion tonne freight club member, you need to induct at least 20,000 wagons every year into the system. Last year, India Railways could not meet the target of procuring 18,000 wagons. This year, the target has been lowered to 16,000,” Mr Ruia said.
As the biggest infrastructure outfit of the country the railway has rightly focused on port connectivity and has committed an investment of `9,000 crore for the purpose, Mr Ruia added.
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