MRVC plans to procure AC rakes on lease

Mumbai: In a first, the Mumbai railways Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is planning to procure an Air-conditioned rakes on lease. The MRVC has invited a proposal for appointing a consultant for study of the procurement of the AC rakes. Under Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-3A), 210 AC rakes are scheduled to come in Mumbai. Three months ago, World Bank had asked the MRVC to study whether the latter can procure AC rakes on lease.

At present, the Western Railway (WR) has an AC rake, which is used for 12 services from Churchgate to Virar. An official of MRVC said that they have submitted detailed project report of MUTP-3A to the apex body of Railway ministry two months ago. The report is under processes of sanction.

These 210 AC rakes will be used on Panvel-Virar corridor, Kalyan-Ashangoan, Kalyan-Balapur, Goregoan-Borivali, and Borivali –Virar sections.

In addition to this, these rakes also include number of rakes required for additional capacity on WR, CSMT-Kalyan and harbour line of CR due to communication based train control system.     

The cost for procurement of the AC rakes has been earmarked close to '18,000 crore. The tenders will be floated six months after getting the sanction from the central government.   

R.S. Khurana, the chairman and managing director of MRVC, said, “We are evaluating the various options of leasing after which the decision shall be taken by the Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Railways.”

“The study will reveal how other countries are procuring the AC rakes and whether the lease is profitable or not,” he added.