What’s inside:
This article shares insights from an interview with the General Manager of ICF about their initiatives in train manufacturing and sustainability efforts.
Shri U. Subba Rao, the General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, recently gave an interview discussing the factory’s progress in the Indian railway sector. He highlighted ICF’s involvement in the production of Vande Bharat trains and noted that these trains are 90% made in India.
During the chat, Shri Rao also talked about ICF’s exciting projects, including India’s first hydrogen-powered train. He mentioned that this train utilizes hydrogen fuel cells and is expected to operate in regions where hydrogen production facilities are being set up.
Moreover, ICF is focusing on being environmentally friendly. They are already a carbon-neutral production unit and have introduced free EV charging for the public, using solar energy generated from their rooftops.
ICF has ambitious plans to increase its manufacturing capacity and aims to produce around 4,000 coaches this year. They are also exploring opportunities in the international rail market and working on developing metro trains for urban areas in India.
Looking ahead, ICF plans to expand its offerings, including sleeper versions of the Vande Bharat trains and freight trains designed for e-commerce. They aim to continue leading the way in indigenous rail manufacturing while contributing to India’s self-reliance in rail technologies.
Summary:
- Shri U. Subba Rao discussed ICF’s advancements in train manufacturing.
- ICF is producing Vande Bharat trains that are 90% indigenous.
- The factory is also working on India’s first hydrogen-powered train.
- ICF has launched free EV charging using solar energy.
- Future plans include expanding production and entering international markets.