Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) is strengthening its manufacturing muscle and supply chain resilience as it gears up to deliver the prestigious Rs24,000-crore order for 80 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Prithish Chowdhary, Dy. Managing Director, Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd highlighted automation breakthroughs, capacity expansion, supply chain reforms, and its long-term growth roadmap, while assuring investors of steady progress toward FY26 targets.
Strengthening capacity for Vande Bharat sleeper project
The Rs 24,000-crore contract for 80 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets is one of Titagarh’s most prestigious achievements. The design phase of the prototype is already in advanced stages, and the first car body is under production at the Uttarpara plant in Q1 FY26.
To support execution, Titagarh is expanding facilities by 40 acres, setting up new infrastructure for forming, testing, and commissioning, including a 1.6 km test track. These steps are expected to enable the rollout of the 16-car prototype by mid-2026 and a smooth transition into series production.
On the supply chain front, the company is focused on local sourcing and de-risking critical components to ensure timely delivery.
Tackling supply chain constraints
While wagon dispatches were impacted in the June quarter due to a shortage of wheelsets from the Rail Wheel Factory (RWF), the situation has since normalised. Titagarh is actively working to reduce dependency by building structural resilience into its supply chain.
A joint venture with RKFL for wheelsets and an expansion of foundry capacity to 40,000 MT annually are key steps. Additionally, the upcoming Ramkrishna Titagarh Rail Wheels plant in Chennai, operational by 2026, will provide an annual capacity of 2.28 lakh wheels, ensuring timely availability for metros, wagons, and Vande Bharat projects.
Confident of meeting FY26 targets
Titagarh expressed confidence in meeting its FY26 milestones, supported by a robust order book across freight and passenger rail. With capacities scaling up and supply bottlenecks addressed, the company is focused on executing marquee projects, including the Vande Bharat sleeper trains and metro contracts.
The leadership emphasized that supply-side issues have largely stabilised and proactive measures are in place to mitigate risks going forward.
Investor message: Q1 was a temporary setback
Addressing concerns over weaker Q1 performance, Titagarh reassured investors that the impact was temporary and largely due to wheelset supply shortages. With corrective measures implemented and the new forged wheelset plant on the horizon, production is expected to remain on track for the rest of the year.
“Investors should view Q1 as a short-term blip rather than a structural concern,” the company maintained, pointing to a robust order pipeline and expanding capacity as key drivers of confidence.
Automation driving efficiency and reliability
Automation has transformed Titagarh’s operations, particularly at its Uttarpara passenger unit, where an Industry 4.0-ready ecosystem enables real-time monitoring and predictive diagnostics. This reduces downtime and improves product quality. Automated test benches for traction motors, converters, and TCMS are ensuring faster, more reliable validation, while robotic welding and automated coil winding have boosted precision and safety.
A standout feature is the advanced Cable Scan Test Bench, designed to deliver fault-free performance in critical electrical systems. The company also operates a state-of-the-art robotic stainless steel welding facility, which has improved consistency, shortened cycle times, and enhanced workplace safety.
Notably, Titagarh has delivered India’s first indigenized driverless metro trainset for Bengaluru and is producing the country’s first fully home-grown driverless metro for Ahmedabad and Surat—achievements that reinforce its position as India’s only private player with such end-to-end capabilities.
Global strategy: Selective expansion beyond India
While India remains the immediate focus, Titagarh aims to gradually expand into global markets. Its products already meet stringent European standards, enabling the company to build credibility for international orders. The long-term vision is to evolve into a truly global brand and one of the first Indian multinationals in the rail mobility sector.
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