Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said India is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing and export hub for advanced railway products, driven by the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and the country’s growing capabilities in designing and producing high-end railway technologies.
The Minister made the remarks during his visit to the Medha Bogies Factory in Hyderabad, where he reviewed manufacturing operations and interacted with engineers and production teams. He was accompanied by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy.
Addressing reporters, Vaishnaw highlighted India’s significant progress in manufacturing sophisticated railway components, including propulsion systems and complex electronics, which form the backbone of modern railway systems.
“India is becoming a major railway products manufacturer and exporter. Many of the railway components, especially complex electronics and propulsion systems, are now designed and manufactured in India and exported to countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, the United States and now even Japan,” he said.
He noted that the world-class quality of Indian railway products has enabled the country to establish a strong presence in global markets, reflecting the success of the government’s focus on indigenous manufacturing and innovation.
Emphasising the importance of quality and design excellence, Vaishnaw said the entire supply chain must remain aligned with stringent quality standards to sustain India’s global competitiveness. He added that strengthening product design capabilities and ensuring robust quality control remain key priorities for the railway manufacturing sector.
The Minister also referred to a roundtable discussion held earlier with representatives of the IT industry, where deliberations focused on the rapid growth of India’s semiconductor ecosystem and the increasing demand for semiconductor design, which is expected to further strengthen advanced manufacturing sectors, including railways.
During his visit to the Medha Bogies Factory, Vaishnaw reviewed various stages of railway coach and component manufacturing. He interacted with engineers and shop-floor personnel to understand production processes, technological capabilities, workforce training programmes and skill development initiatives supporting advanced manufacturing.
He also sought feedback from employees on their day-to-day responsibilities, learning opportunities and the adoption of modern manufacturing practices at the facility. Appreciating the dedication and technical expertise of the workforce, the Minister said a highly skilled talent pool is fundamental to India’s expanding railway manufacturing ambitions.
The visit also included a review of the factory’s manufacturing infrastructure, quality assurance systems, production processes and ongoing capacity enhancement initiatives aimed at meeting growing domestic and international demand for railway products.
