IR plans to scale up locomotive maintenance facilities

In a bid to increase the deployment of Vande Bharat trains in the country, IR has prepared a Rs 180 billion plan to scale up the locomotive mainten­ance facility. The lack of adequate maintenance depots in India has emerged as a major challenge in the roll-out of Vande Bharat. This move is expected to speed up expansion. According to the Railway Board, there are 58 maintenance coaching depots or locations that can hold 100 Vande Bharat trains. Investments of around Rs 3.12 billion per depot will be re­quired to upgrade the depots. Of this, Rs 1.66 billion will be spent on civil, Rs 1.32 billion on mechanical and Rs 0.13 billion on engineering works.