Union Minister Raosaheb Danve announced that at least 120 advanced Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured at Marathwada Railway coach factory in Latur, with efforts to begin production by August. The tendering process for coach manufacturing is in the final stages and the contract with a consortium of Russia and Indian Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) will be finalized soon. The Prime Minister has announced plans to launch 400 new Vande Bharat trains in the country, and 120 of these will be manufactured in Latur. If required, another 80 trains will also be made in this factory. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 600 crore to set up the coach factory in Latur. The minister also mentioned that the Central and state governments have been taking efforts for dualling, electrification, new railway lines, and pending railway projects in the state.
The first stage of dualling of Manmad-Nanded line will get an approval soon, while the new Solapur-Tuljapur railway has already received a nod, he said.
Lok Sabha MP Sudhakar Shrangare, MLC Ramesh Karad, former minister and MLAs Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar and Abhimanyu Pawar, among other local leaders and Central Railway officials were present for the factory visit.
