ICF likely to supply Metro-like AC coaches for Bengaluru suburban rail

An AC suburban train manufactured by ICF, Chennai.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is likely to supply Metro-like air-conditioned coaches for the Bengaluru suburban rail project.

ICF, a unit under the railways ministry, recently invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from design agencies "for the development of car-body, bogie, and interior designs for rolling stock".

These will not be Vande Metro coaches but Metro-like AC coaches designed to meet the requirements of Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RIDE), officials said.

K-RIDE, a joint venture between the rail ministry and the Karnataka government, is implementing the broad-gauge suburban rail project.

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The coach will be of stainless steel with a length of 21.7m, a bogie design for a safe speed of 95 kmph, an operational speed of 85 kmph, and an axle load of 17 tonnes.

The interiors will include seating arrangements, lighting, ventilation, information systems, and accessibility features in compliance with relevant standards and passenger comfort guidelines. Each six-coach train will have a seating and standing capacity of 1,052 passengers.

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K-RIDE to seek tender exemption

Sources said railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to Bengaluru in February, sought an update on the rolling stock, as K-RIDE aims to commence operations by December 2026.

He told K-RIDE to procure rolling stock from ICF to expedite the supply.

Officials said that Corridor C2 (Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara) will be operational by December 2026, while Corridor 4 (Heelalige-Rajanakunte) will begin operations by December next.

Officials said they are looking to procure 51 trains of three-coach configurations — 153 coaches in total — for the two corridors in the first phase. "ICF has agreed to provide three-four trains by December 2026," a source said.

Industry sources, however, said the design phase may take 1-1.5 years, followed by production and rollout, which could take another two years, with testing requiring an additional six months. This means the end of 2028 is a realistic deadline.

Since K-RIDE is procuring the coaches directly without a tender, it will need to approach the state government for a tender exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act.

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Last year, the Karnataka cabinet approved the state's share of Rs 2,135 crore for the purchase of 306 train coaches (rolling stock) for the project.

"The estimated cost for the rolling stock is Rs 4,300 crore, with the state contributing Rs 2,135 crore (50 percent) and the remaining 50 percent being borne by the Union government. This amount will be provided to K-RIDE to purchase 306 coaches over the next five years," Karnataka’s law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said.

K-RIDE had planned to induct 300 coaches (50 six-coach trains) for the 149-km suburban rail network under a leasing model. Due to lukewarm response from companies, it had to opt for a purchase model.

While approving the project in 2020, the Centre recommended coaches under a lease model to reduce costs.

The project cost dropped from Rs 18,621 crore to Rs 15,767 crore due to the PPP model for rolling stock, sources said. Rolling stock firms, however, were hesitant to make large investments with low immediate returns, and those interested struggled to secure financial partners.

"The railway board has assured that it will provide its share after obtaining approval from NITI Aayog, as the initial project approval included a condition for procuring coaches under the PPP model," an official said.