Wagon procurement target kept unchanged from last year’s level.
The overall allocation for rolling stock in 2010-11 saw a fall of 1.59 per cent at Rs 13,140 crore, though the railways are planning to maintain their wagon procurement target at 18,000 units.
For 2009-10, the allocation witnessed an 11.88 per cent hike at Rs 12,393 crore over 2008-09, which was further revised upwards to Rs 13,352.49 crore. However, the target of procuring 18,000 wagons in 2009-10 was revised downward to 13,500 wagon units
Besides wagons, rolling stock consists of locomotives and coaches. The target for procurement of coaches in 2010-11 was also kept unchanged from 2009-10 target of 444 units.
Out of the total allocation of Rs 13,140 crore for rolling stock in 2010-11, 97 per cent (Rs 12,767.06 crore) is for programmed delivery of rolling stock already ordered in 2009-10, while Rs 372.94 crore is for new acquisitions.
Investment in rolling stock is a key requirement for handling more traffic, though a major portion goes towards replacing older vehicles. With the economic recovery in place, the railways expect more traffic; however the provision for adding rolling stock in the budget has been disappointing for the industry.
On these lines, railway minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern on the lack of availability of coaches and wagons even as upsurge in economy and increase in passenger traffic have necessitated the requirement of additional passenger coaches. She also said that there was need to develop special type of coaches for the physically challenged and senior citizens. “Coaches and wagons are not available off the shelf. Our manufacturing capacity is less and we have to plan years in advance,” said Banerjee.
| ALLOCATIONS UNDER DIFFERENT CATEGORIES (Figures in Rs crore) | ||||
| Category | 2008-09 Actual | 2009-10 BE | 2009-10 RE | 2010-11 BE |
| Locomotives | 4500.69 | 4274.28 | 4081.32 | 4949.72 |
| Carriages | 3406.9 | 4247.06 | 4265.02 | 4265.14 |
| Wagons | 3014.56 | 3616.61 | 4588.55 | 3701.72 |
| Cranes | 27.31 | 50.05 | 34.14 | 23.42 |
| Other | 3.74 | NA | NA | NA |
| Track machines | 123.37 | 205 | 383.46 | 200 |
| Overall rolling stock | 11076.57 | 12393 | 13352.49 | 13140 |
| Source: Railway Budget documents | ||||
The industry was not enthused with the promise of additional rolling stock procurement in 2010-11, given the lack of allocation for the category. “Railway is building up capacity for the long term. Emphasis on public-private model to enhance rail infrastructure is good for the industry. If railways want to achieve this growth, it cannot do it by itself. It will need private investors. However, some proposals like new wagon order and five new wagon plants, need more clarity,” said Umesh Choudhary, vice-chairman, Titagarh Wagons.
