Six metro coaches manufactured at Bombardier’s facility in Savli, Vadodara have been sent to the Australian government from Mumbai port.
“The consignment of six metro coaches built in Baroda for delivery to the Australian government was dispatched from Mumbai Port as Mumbai Port plays a major role in the transport of important cargoes,” a statement from the shipping ministry said.
The coaches are 75 meters long and weigh 46 tons each, requiring high-performance and high-capacity loading, it added.
The manufacturing and export of metro coaches is a boost to the “Make in India” initiative which aims to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub. Strong initiatives to manufacture railway coaches within India had taken India to such a position.
Being the first of its kind to export, India is creating history in the manufacturing sector. As part of the agreement, 2.450 such passenger cars with bogies will be exported to Australia in the coming year. The project, costing $2.7 billion, will be carried out by Canadian company Bombardier Transportation at its Vadodara facility. The Savli site has been upgraded for the export activities.
“The entire loading (loading into the ship) of these prestigious metro coaches was done in-house by the Mumbai Port Trust unlike any other port in India where private operators carry out such operations,” the statement said.
Three Metro coach manufacturing units have already been launched in India.