Latur Emerges As Production Hub Of Vande Bharat Sleeper Project
Economic Opportunities Arise in Marathwada Due to Local Recruitment
The ongoing project in Marathwada is projected to significantly boost the region’s economy, which has historically relied on agriculture and sugar production. Kinet, the company involved, has reported that approximately 60% of its local hiring is focused on candidates from Latur and nearby areas. This initiative is creating job opportunities for ITI graduates, college graduates, and engineers, thereby enhancing local employment prospects.
Testing Phase for Indigenous Trainsets Underway in Latur
The two prototype trainsets being developed at Latur are set to enter the testing and customer acceptance phase. This crucial step will precede the commencement of serial production. The trains are designed and manufactured by Indian engineers and workers, with a growing emphasis on sourcing components and materials locally.
Latur : Indo-Russian joint venture Kinet Railway Solutions is advancing work on two prototype Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets at its 351-acre manufacturing facility in Latur. Under a $6.5-billion contract awarded in March 2023, Kinet is responsible for designing and manufacturing 120 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets comprising 1,920 coaches and maintaining them for 35 years. Designed for long-distance travel, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is capable of speeds of up to 160 kmph and features distributed traction, regenerative braking and onboard diagnostics. The train’s design has also received international recognition, including a Red Dot Award 2026 for its exterior design, while its interior has received recognition from A’ Design and India’s Best Design Award. More than 30 Russian specialists are working alongside Indian teams, while over 40 Latur employees have already undergone training at production facilities and corporate universities in Russia. The Latur facility, part of the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory (MRCF) project, includes six workshops and an internal railway track network measuring 8.6 km. The project is being positioned as a significant step towards strengthening advanced manufacturing in the region and supporting the Centre’s Make in India initiative and the broader Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
The company has also introduced a Graduate Engineer Trainee programme, while the growing manufacturing ecosystem is expected to create opportunities for local businesses and suppliers. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news. The project, one of the largest railway manufacturing initiatives involving an Indo-Russian partnership, is expected to create a new industrial ecosystem in Marathwada while significantly boosting India’s indigenous rolling-stock manufacturing capabilities. The project also includes an engineering centre in Hyderabad and depot facilities in Delhi, Jodhpur and Bengaluru. The project is also expected to strengthen the domestic railway supply chain, with Kinet progressively expanding its Indian supplier base. Passenger-focused features include adapted berths and toilets for persons with reduced mobility, sensor-operated doors, enhanced noise insulation and sealed gangways designed to keep dust and dirt out of the coaches. A major focus of the project is technology and knowledge transfer. They are expected to act as internal mentors as production capabilities are further developed. The Latur facility is implementing modern operating systems and 3P, which is process and product design methodology. Employees are receiving trainings in various special processes including welding, painting, crimping, bonding, torquing, equipment installation and industrial safety. An in-house training school with certification is being developed, while engineering issues are being addressed collaboratively on the production floor. Kinet Railway Solutions is an Indian company, which in partnership with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd and Indian Railways is developing manufacturing, engineering and maintenance capabilities for the Vande Bharat Sleeper project. Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes , Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India. Download the TOI App.