The Ministry of Railways held several meetings with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Ukraine and decided to bring the first batch of 128 wheels to Romania by trucks. After this, these wheels will come to India through air cargo from Romania in three batches. There are a total of 128 wheels for the new version of the 16-coach Vande Bharat train, which will be airlifted from Romania to Chennai. These wheels will be used for the production of the first prototype Vande Bharat train so that the trial run can start in July this year.
Let us tell you that the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai is manufacturing Vande Bharat train. According to the report, India had ordered 36,000 wheels to a Ukrainian firm, which halted new production as most of its workers had joined the war. But 128 wheels were taken by road to Romania and are being airlifted from there. Sources said that over 40 wheels will reach Chennai on May 12 and the rest will come in two more batches. Officials said they are taking several steps to ensure that the wheels arrive on time and do not affect the scheduled rollout of 75 such trains by August 2023.
According to media reports, India has now placed orders for wheels to the Czech Republic, Poland and the US. The government has also ramped up the production of axles for these wheels at the Rail Wheel Factory in Bangalore. Sources said the option of getting wheels from China is also being considered.
A senior Railway Ministry official said that from May 12, the air cargo operation carrying wheels will continue for three days. The war has affected shipments of wheels from Ukraine and delayed the roll out of the first prototype train.
