Transformation of Indian Railways: TMH's Response to Modern Challenges
© AP Photo / K.M. Chaudary
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In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the number of passengers on Indian Railways increased by over 80%, reaching 6.23 billion compared to 3.44 billion in 2021-2022. This system needs transformation more than ever, and TMH, entrusted with producing the new generation of Vande Bharat electric trains, plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges.
The growth rate of the Indian economy has accelerated to a maximum. According to Fitch Ratings, India's GDP growth exceeded 8% for three consecutive quarters in the 2023-2024 financial year. Already now the country's economy ranks fifth in the list of the world's largest, and in the not too distant future, according to experts' forecasts, it may reach the third and even second place. One of the most important conditions for such a leap is a modern, stable and safe transport system, and here TMH has a solution.
In March 2023, ahead of the leading global players, the company won a $6.5bn international tender for the development, production and 35-year service of 120 Vande Bharat long-distance electric trains (1,920 coaches) in three classes of service. In September last year, a corresponding contract was signed between Indian Railways and a joint venture that TMH (represented by MVM) established in partnership with India's RVNL.
By June 2024, TMH had taken over a plant in Latur (Maharashtra) equipped with a modern assembly line for producing new electric trains. The company also launched an engineering center in Hyderabad and plans to upgrade three service depots in Delhi, Jodhpur, and Bengaluru for subsequent maintenance of the equipment.
TMH will continue to enhance India's railway infrastructure by developing local production, supporting regional suppliers, and improving the skills of local employees.
PM Narendra Modi flags off Odisha’s first Vande Bharat Express
© Photo : Twitter/ @sambitswaraj
More Comfort and Safety for Passengers
TMH is pushing the boundaries of modern transport engineering by introducing advanced technologies into production processes. For example, the Vande Bharat trains are equipped with regenerative braking and on-board diagnostics systems, which fulfil the crucial need for sustainable and efficient railway services.
The new Vande Bharat trains promise a new level of comfort on long-distance routes, significantly reducing journey times. The distributed power system will enable these trains to reach speeds of 160 kilometres per hour.
The new coaches will provide an enhanced experience for all passengers, including improved noise insulation, automatic entry and exit doors, equipped sleepers and toilets for people with disabilities, touch screen doors and sealed inter-carriages that will keep dust and dirt out of the cabin.
Driving Socio-Economic Development in India
Aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 concept, TMH sets new industry standards and contributes to the national goal of creating a modern and developed India by 2047, the centenary of independence. The company creates job opportunities, especially in the Latur region, thereby contributing to the local population's improved living standards and economic growth. By involving professionals from all railway sectors, TMH accumulates and develops the potential of the best talents for its ambitious projects.
The establishment of an engineering design centre in Hyderabad is another strategic move by TMH to support the Vande Bharat project and future initiatives across India. The company makes a tangible contribution to local employment and the railway industry as a whole, employing more than 10,000 people (including staff from local suppliers).
Viksit Bharat @2047 is a national transformation strategy set at the national government level. It aims to transform India into a developed nation by the centenary of Independence in 2047.
In the context of Indian Railways, the strategy presents a comprehensive plan that includes construction of a high-speed rail corridor, modernisation of existing tracks, improvement of station facilities, technological upgradation, transition to modern information sharing systems and implementation of sustainable development programmes, among others.
By 2047, Indian Railways expects to become a world leader in railway transport, stimulating economic growth and improving the quality of life of the population.
Railway tracks
© Sputnik / Sergey Pyatakov
Supporting Educational Projects
TMH participated in the first Indo-Russian Education Summit on April 11 in New Delhi. Organized by Rossotrudnichestvo with the support of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in India, the summit brought together over 100 speakers and delegates from more than 60 higher and vocational educational institutions, including the TMH Corporate University.
At the summit, representatives of higher education from Russia and India, diplomats, politicians, scientists, and businessmen discussed cooperation opportunities in education, science, and innovative technologies, as well as workforce training for various sectors of both economies.
Discussions included cooperation at the Russia-India-BRICS level, the role of higher education in developing comprehensive collaboration, career opportunities for Indian graduates of Russian universities, and cooperation between Russia and India in medical education.
Moreover, on April 12, there was an exhibition of Russian universities where representatives from 60 Russian institutions from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Siberia, the Urals, and other regions presented their programs.
A collaborative project with TMH, the "Advanced Engineering School," was introduced at the summit by the educational partner of the Corporate University, Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University.
During the summit, there were presentations by Y.A. Katalova, Head of the Center for Assessment and Development of the Personnel Reserve at TMH Corporate University, and representatives of PSTU, including A.A. Vorobyov, Head of the Department of Ground and Technological Complexes, and E.K. Korovyakovsky, Associate Professor of the Department of Logistics and Commercial Work.
In their presentations, the colleagues highlighted the importance of restoring the practice of international internships and student exchanges. They emphasized the need for collaboration with the largest rolling stock manufacturer to develop professional competencies and enhance the quality of student training.
