(a) whether the Railways propose to draw a long term plan to export state of the art locos;
(b) whether they have acquired international quality technology in the matter;
(c) the names of the countries shown interest in these locos;
(d) the time by which railways would start export of locos; and
(e) the estimated per annum foreign exchange likely to be earned therefrom?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir.
(c) State-of-the art diesel locos have been imported in 1999 and its indigenous manufacture is planned to commence in 2001-02.
State-of-the-art electric locos are already under indigenous manufacture. For exporting such locomotives and its sub-assemblies to other countries, exploratory dialogue has been started with Switzerland, Turkey and South Africa who have shown interest.
(d) & (e) Export of locos is a thrust area of Indian Railways and efforts are on to be competitive in the global market. The timeframe and foreign exchange likely to be earned from such export is not known at present.