ICF Chennai targets to produce 2,486 coaches in 2016-17

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, is targeting a record production of 2,486 coaches for the current year 2016-17 and has plans to produce 404 Linke Hofmann Busch coaches during the year, said a senior official from ICF.

Unfurling the National Flag on Independence Day, Sudhanshu Mani, general manager of ICF, Chennai, said that in 2015-16, ICF has manufactured 2,005 coaches, which is 300 coaches more compared to the previous year.

It has manufactured over 700 stainless steel coaches, which have around 35 years of life compared to the 25-year lifespan of ordinary coaches.

"The target of 2,486 coaches this year is achievable considering that during the first three months of this fiscal year, it has manufactured 669 coaches, which is 15 per cent more than the coaches manufactured during the same period last year," he said.

In the coming days, keeping pace with new technology, the unit will be manufacturing special coaches announced in the Railway Budget, like Deen Dayalu and Antyodaya, which will have lot of passenger amenities inbuilt.

ICF is also planning to manufacture two state-of-the-art tourist coaches for IRCTC, which will have a transparent roof for tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty of tourist spots while travelling.

It has also been given the target to manufacture 881 self-propelled coaches for the current year and also plans to produce these coaches with energy efficient three-phase propulsion system.