(a) whether the Railways has planned to produce train engines running on both diesel and electric at Varanasi rail coach factory;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the production is likely to be started and the budget estimate for the project?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) Indian Railways is planning to develop a diesel locomotive with dual mode capability, which would be able to work as an electric locomotive in electrified area. Research, Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) has developed a specification for dual mode passenger locomotive in July, 2015. Prototype will be ready by March, 2017.
(c) DLW, Varanasi has started the process of procurement of materials for production of prototype of the Dual Mode Locomotive. The approximate budget estimate is 18 crores per locomotive.
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