Parliamentary panel recommends modernisation of Railways’ production units to meet rolling stock targets

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3 min readMar 29, 2026 05:57 PM ISTRailways production units modernisation has been recommended by a parliamentary panel to help meet rolling stock targets and improve manufacturing capacity and efficiency. (Image generated using AI)Indian Railways rolling stock: A parliamentary panel has recommended the Ministry of Railways to modernise its production units to meet rolling stock targets. In Railways, the term ‘rolling stock’ means Coaches, Wagons, Locomotives, EMU, DEMU, Trainset and MEMU, among others.In its report (Demands for Grants 2026-27), the Standing Committee on Railways noted the shortfall against annual targets and advised augmenting and upgrading production units to ensure the timely achievement of rolling stock targets.“Considering the shortfall against annual targets, the Committee recommend augmentation and modernization of Production Units to ensure timely achievement of rolling stock targets and strengthening indigenisation and skill development aligned to next-generation technologies,” the committee said.Indian Railways – Rolling Stock Production Targets vs AchievementPhysical targets & achievement of Production Units · Source: Ministry of Railways Coaches – Target vs AchievementYearTargetAchievementStatus2022–237,5745,869Below Target2023–246,6306,470Below Target2024–257,2377,237Target Met ✓2025–26 (till Jan 2026)9,5576,586In Progress Locomotives – Target vs AchievementYearTargetAchievementStatus2022–231,190980Below Target2023–241,1801,251Target Exceeded ✓2024–251,4751,481Target Met ✓2025–26 (till Jan 2026)1,6261,395In Progress⚡ Electric Locos – Target vs ActualYearTargetActualStatus2022–231,190977Below Target2023–241,1801,246Target Exceeded ✓2024–251,4751,476Target Met ✓2025–26 (upto Jan 2026)1,6261,385In Progress* Source: Standing Committee on Railways, Demands for Grants 2026–27 · As furnished by the Ministry of Railways.Express InfoGenIEAccording to the report, the Ministry of Railways stated that regular meetings are held with Production Units (PUs) to monitor production progress and address any issues affecting target achievement. It also added that PUs participate in performance review meetings for locomotives, involving all stakeholders, including RDSO and Zonal Railways.“Production Program as per traffic requirement dully approved by Board is conveyed to Production Unit. Monthly Production in PUs is monitored by Railway Board. Every month production data from PUs is monitored in Board office. Regular review meetings are held at different level to monitor the production performance of different Production Units,” it said.Conversion of ICF rake to LHB rakeThe Ministry further stated that over 1,494 ICF rakes have already been replaced with LHB coaches and the remaining 491 rakes will be phased out in due course. “The shift from ICF to LHB coaches has gradually improved train speeds due to higher speed potentials of LHB coaches,” it added.Indian Railways advanced rolling stockThe committee also praised the Railways’ decision to introduce advanced rolling stock such as the Vande Bharat Express (Sleeper) and Amrit Bharat Express, featuring enhanced safety measures and modern passenger amenities aimed at inducting high-capacity, lightweight, sturdy and faster trains.Story continues below this adIt also urged the Ministry to prioritise the modernisation of workshops through the induction of advanced diagnostic equipment, digital maintenance systems and structured technical training modules.“The Committee also observe that while manufacturing capabilities have advanced significantly, the maintenance ecosystem in Zonal workshops must be strengthened commensurately. A formal mechanism for seamless transfer of technology and technical know-how from Production Units to workshops should be institutionalised toensure reliability, safety, reduction in maintenance time and cost for optimal lifecycle performance of rolling stock,” the panel said in its report.Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... 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