(a) whether Railways has imported coaches from Alstom, LHB;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) whether the Railways have made trial of such coaches on Indian Tracks before procurement of such coaches;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken by the Railways to avoid recurrence of such lapses in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) 24 Nos. of All Metal Light Weight High
speed coaches have been imported from M/s ALSTOM – LHB,
Germany. Foreign Exchange spent on import of these 24
coaches was Deutsche Marks 52,663,000 ( Rs. 106 crore approx.)
(c) & (d) No, Sir. Trials of coaches on Indian Tracks
before procurement was not possible without their physical
receipt in India. However, before placement of order, the
offer of M/s ALSTOM, LHB was technically scrutinized and
found to be state-of-the-art technology and also conforming
to Indian Railway’s laid down technical specifications.
(e) There is no lapse.