Kirloskar, Gm In Talks Over Supply Of Rly Equipment

Kirloskar Electric Company (KECL) is in talks with the US-based auto giant General Motors (GM) to supply electrical systems for the latter's AC diesel locomotives. The move comes as part of KECL plan to diversify into railway equipment in a big way, sources said.

The company has entered into a contract with the electro mechanical division of GM for supply of components like electric motors for diesel AC locomotives. General Motors has placed trial orders for electric motors for diesel AC locomotives, with it, the sources said.

'No decision has been taken by GM. We are waiting for the response (to trial orders),' the sources said. A positive response from GM is likely to turn KECL as a major source of electric motors for GM's diesel AC locos. GM's transport division is involved in the manufacture of several model diesel locomotives for various railways in the world.

The AC motors to be supplied by KECL are expected to be installed in GM's 4000hp AC diesel locos for supply to the Indian Railways. The company has recently received a major order from the Diesel Locomotives Workshop, Varanasi, for supplying components required for making AC generators and AC tract motors. KECL has developed AC-DC electric motors and systems for supply to the three railway workshops under an indigenisation programmes launched by the Indian Railways.

While KECL has developed braking registors and other components for electrical locos manufactured by Chittaranjan Locomotive Workshop (CLW), it has made DC traction motor for diesel locos by DLW, Varanasi, and AC traction system for the Chennai-based Integrated Coach Factory (ICF). It has also registered with DLW for supply of components and other electric systems for making AC generators and AC traction motors.

The company said it plans to enter into two technology transfer agreements with the transport division of Italy-based Ansaldo group for its diesel electric multiple units (Demu) and electric multiple units (Emu). It has developed three-phase AC traction systems capable of hauling three-bogey Demu units for small traffic within city.

'We'll be making our offer very soon to ICF,' the sources said.

Kirloskar, in collaboration with Ansaldo, plans to make a dual voltage EMU system suitable for both 25kv AC and 1,500 volts DC types,

The company is participating under a sub-technology transfer agreement programme between CLW and ABB (Asea Brown Baveri) for supply of complete components to the Railways.