Gaming of STRs Continue-Case of Wagons

The current RailMinister seems to still be following Sudheer-Sense rather than understanding Modi-Sense

#RDSO’s manipulation of sources in their #Vendor-Directory has drawn criticism from several ministers. #MamataBanerjee voiced her disapproval of RDSO’s practices in Parliament, while Mr. #PiyushGoyal worked towards reforming the organization by emphasizing the importance of #quality and encouraging new #vendors.

Despite being a key-confidante of the #PrimeMinister, the current #RailMinister seems to still be following #SudheerSense rather than understanding #ModiSense. Here is a big question, “Why would he, otherwise work against #employment generating ideas while spending same or even less?”

While the #Railways have been investing heavily, the focus on increasing #loading has not been in line with the #expenditure. The preference for mega #tenders without considering #earnings has been a characteristic of #SudheerSense, including mega #wagon tenders. The quality and availability of wagons have been a weakness for #IndianRailways, impacting overall earnings and #coal-supply to power plants. The restriction of the vendor-pool raises concerns about manipulative practices within #RailBhawan.

#MR-Cell interfered in #product-specifications and #eligibility-criteria (see decision to transfer out key personnel from the #Board, namely #ED-Coaching and #MTRS when they recorded this). This raises questions about why the issue of enlarging #vendor-pool was not addressed before issuing mega tender for wagons that combine requirements from multiple years. This also raises doubts about the #Ministry of Railways’ commitment towards promoting small and medium enterprises in the #railway-sector which is at stark variance from the intent of #Modi-Government. Note that large fabricated #products like #wagons generate large #employment.

Manufacturing of Railway Wagons Restricted to Limited Sources!

Let us understand how “Schedule of Technical Requirement” (#STR) restricts the #pool of eligible #vendors for #Wagon-Manufacturing. STR details minimum #infrastructure that should be with the vendor before they can given orders (for that item). This document is issued by Research Design and Standards Organization (#RDSO).

#Manufacturing of Railway #Wagons is permitted to any #Vendor confirming requirement as per #RDSO document G-105 Rev Nil. The #Specification of G-105 (Schedule of Technical Requirements for Wagon Builder) covers all #Plant and #Machinery related to #fabrication of Wagons. The only unique infrastructure required is a #Railway-siding which is an interesting aspect. #Railways is already sourcing fabricated #Shells/#Carbodies for #locomotives, #Coaches and #DETC from their approved vendors.

Note that a locomotive shell is heavier and coach car body is more intricate than a wagon but still the manufacturer does not require a siding to manufacture them. As far as #inspection limitations of past are concerned, with third party inspections (#TPI), this limitation has been eliminated.

Vendors of loco shells, coach car bodies and Self-Propelled vehicles are already having the fabrication facilities required as per #CLW-Specification No. CLW-MS-3-152 Alt. 9 (Schedule of Technical Requirements for Electric Loco Shell Manufacturing) which is almost similar to the requirement of G-105 fabrication facilities. Key difference is the requirement of siding.

#RDSO rightfully control couplers, bogies CRF sections, however, one fails to understand why a shell or coach superstructure manufacturer can’t manufacture a wagon just because they do not have a siding?

It is evident that wagons are not being delivered as per the demand. In some cases wagons are delivered using road transport vide #ODC specialized trailers to a specific #siding or a #station.

Railway Ministry should consider removing restrictive clause of RDSO’s STR

#Industry would be benefited by “deleting the #railway-siding clause from the document G-105” and grant permission to supply the wagon to the nearest #Loco-shed, #Carriage-shed, #Wagon-workshop, #Station-siding, #Goods-marshal, etc duly after inspection.

This would bring in the #scope of a better #price, open doors for better #quality and potentially more promising #players to #supply and meet the requirement in time. Given the employment potential of wagon building, initial #development orders for 200-300 wagons can be placed on sources willing to serve #IndianRailways/#PSU/#Private-Players sourcing Wagons.