Ever since the BJP came to power, government institutions which are described as national assets, have been privatized. Even though trade unions and public have protested against this, Prime Minister Modi's generosity towards privatization has not changed.
Indian Railways plan to manufacture 100 'Vande Bharat' trains (160 coaches) at this stage.
Vande Bharat Express train has a total of 16 coaches which include one first class AC coach, 4 second class AC coaches and 11 triple decker AC coaches. While a contract has been called for its production, there has been a big shock as information has come out that it will be produced by a private sector company.
The Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) at Perambur, Chennai has been manufacturing coaches for railways for many years.Why is the contract to manufacture 'Vandebharat' coaches given to a private company when all the necessary facilities for coach manufacturing are available here in govt itself.
Even foreign countries are buying and using the coaches manufactured in the ICF factory. Also, why is the ICF factory refused of this order when the 'Vande Bharat' trains have been manufactured and supplied earlier by ICF?It is not known what else await to be transferred to private hands.
The Union Government should reconsider and award the contract to manufacture 'Vande Bharat' coaches to the ICF plant!