Railways has placed an order to procure 39,000 wheels for LHB coaches

4792. SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR

          SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA

          DR. G. RANJITH REDDY

         SHRIMATI KAVITHA MALOTHU

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Railways  has  placed  an  order  to  procure  39,000 wheels for LHB coaches from M/s. Taiyuan, China;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the reasons for placing orders with the above Chinese companies when SAIL and Durgapur Steel Plants can manufacture such wheels;

(d) whether this is likely to defeat the Prime Minister’s goal of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan; and

(e) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard? 

(a) to (e): LHB Coaches require Forged wheels. The requirement is met by supplies from SAIL/ Durgapur Steel plant, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited(RINL)/Rae Bareli and imports. Another plant under ‘Make in India’ initiative is also being established. Since existing plants are unable to meet the current requirement, global tender has been invited from time to time and the lowest bidder, in this case M/s TZ(Taizhong) Hongkong International Limited with manufacturer M/s Taiyuan, China, was awarded the contract. With the initiatives taken, India is on the way to become Atmanirbhar in Forged wheels.

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