BHEL to set its MEMU manufacturing. facility in Rajasthan

A MOU was signed between Indian Railways and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for setting up of Greenfield MEMU coaches manufacturing facility by BHEL at Bhilwara in Rajasthan. Member Electrical Railway Board, Kul Bhushan, and CMD, BHEL, B. P. Rao signed the document in presence of Minister of Railways, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Praful Patel.

Main Line Electric Multiple Unit Trains, popularly known as MEMU trains, a mode of rapid transit system, have higher passenger carrying capacity and higher average speed as compared to conventional loco hauled passenger trains and to cater to non-suburban passengers, residing in small towns and villages surrounding urban and industrial centers. These rakes are now being manufactured with toilet facilities to take care of passenger needs. MEMU trains increase the line capacity utilization, and therefore are more suitable for running on high traffic density routes. 

These MEMU trains have gained rapid popularity over the years. Currently, there are about 160 MEMU services running. There are demands pouring in from all over the country for more MEMU trains. The demand for these coaches will further increase as Indian Railways have plans to electrify approximately 15000 route kilometer during the next 10 years, it is expected that the requirement of MEMU coaches will grow to nearly 9000 coaches by then. Setting up of factory for conventional MEMU coaches will go a long way in meeting this demand. The proposed facility for production of MEMU coaches will be set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at Bhilwara in the State of Rajasthan. The entire cost will be borne by BHEL. Government of Rajasthan will provide land to Railways, for setting up the project. In order to make the project viable, Ministry of Railways will give Assured Off- Take orders to BHEL.