As per information, an Expert Committee, headed by Dr. Saraswat (Permanent Member of the Niti Ayog), comprising of 20 other officials of the Niti Ayog, visited Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) on 20th May, 2016 with a view to examine the capability and capacity of the said Production Unit in respect of manufacturing of electric locomotives for the Indian Railways….
D.O.No.AIRF/214 Dated: July 19, 2016
Resp. Shri Suresh Prabhu Ji!
Sub: Production of diesel-electric and electric locomotives in the Indian Railway Production Units
As per information, an Expert Committee, headed by Dr. Saraswat (Permanent Member of the Niti Ayog), comprising of 20 other officials of the Niti Ayog, visited Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) on 20th May, 2016 with a view to examine the capability and capacity of the said Production Unit in respect of manufacturing of electric locomotives for the Indian Railways.
You may kindly recall that, CLW was established initially for production of steam locomotives, and on phasing-out of steam traction, this Production Unit had successfully switched over to manufacturing electric locomotives of various types, viz. WAG, WAP, WACM, WAM etc. to cater the requirement of electric locomotives for the Indian Railways. Subsequently, CLW had also started manufacturing ABB 3-phase electric locomotives by adopting imported technology and has manufactured more than 280 locomotives of this class at the cost of Rs.12 crore each.
You may also appreciate that, CLW is certainly capable to meet the challenge of manufacturing 12000 High Horse Power locomotives as well because this Production Unit has always proved its worth by adopting latest technology over the years, switching over from age-old steam locomotives to state-of-the-art technology based ABB electric locomotives. We, however, feel shocked to know that, consequent to survey conducted by the Expert Committee supra, Ministry of Railways have decided to place an order for manufacturing 800 High Horse Power (12000 HP) locomotives with M/s Alstom, a French Company, stated to be manufactured in Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, instead of giving direct order to CLW. It is further understood that, Railway Board have also placed another order for manufacturing 1000 High Horse Power diesel locomotives to M/S G.E., which is an USA based company, ignoring manufacturing potential and capacity of DLW, Varanasi.
It is further quoted that, above decisions have been taken by the Ministry of Railways without consulting the recognized federations. We have also been able to lay our hands on the information that, a number of posts of SAG Officers, like CEE, CVO, FA&CAO and CME, are kept vacant in CLW; causing adverse impact on the production as also demoralizing effect on the railwaymen of CLW and DLW, resulting in serious resentment against attempts of privatization of the Production Units.
We, therefore, request your early intervention in the matter so as to withdraw the orders placed to M/s Alstom of France and M/s G.E. of USA instead of allotting the said workload to CLW and DLW respectively.
An early action in the matter shall be highly appreciated.
With Kind Regards!
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