CHENNAI: Production at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) here has been hit by the unprecedented floods and the flagship unit of the Railways’ manufacturing coaches is unlikely to meet this month’s target.
Though floods would have an adverse impact on the December target of 174 coaches, which is likely to have a bearing on the record of rolling out 1,734 coaches by the end of this fiscal, authorities, however, exude confidence to catch up in the coming months.
According to sources, rainwater has flooded shell and furnishing units leading to suspension of production for four days last week. “Production literally came to a standstill between December 2 and 6. Rainwater entered the pit of major production electrical equipment,” an official said, adding that power supply was suspended for some days, hitting the production drastically. Rainwater flooded staff quarters, as well. Adding fuel to the problem, ICF is expecting shortage for ancillary parts in the light of several manufacturing units at Ambattur Industrial Estate affected by floods. “We are procuring small components from these factories for producing coaches and delivery could be delayed. But we have enough stock of raw materials,” the official noted.
While the Railway Board has set a target of 1,734 coaches to be rolled out from ICF in 2015-16, ICF is internally targeting a record number of 2,000 coaches this year. “We do not know to what extent the production would be hit this month. Our target for December is 174 coaches,” official sources said and added “But, we would be matching the production in the coming months.”
Meanwhile, production started in full steam on Tuesday. ICF had achieved the best ever production of 1,704 coaches surpassing prescribed target of 1,696 coaches during the production year ended on 31.03.2015. This includes manufacturing of 239 DEMUs (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit), 283 Air-conditioned Coaches, 65 LHB Coaches, 693 SCN (Sleeper) Coaches and 170 SLR Coaches, highest ever in a production year. On the other hand, ICF has constituted three separate committees for assessing the damages in shell and furnishing units due to floods, official sources said. A report would be sent to the Railway Board in this regard.