Question : TRIAL OF IMPORTED COACHES .

(a) Whether the railways have imported specially designed air-conditioned passenger coaches from Germany recently;

(b) if so, the amount of foreign exchange spent thereon;

(c) whether these imported coaches were stoned and badly damaged during a test trial conducted under Northern Railways on March 4, 2001;

(d) if so, the loss suffered by the Government due to incident of stones and brick bats;

(e) whether the Government propose to conduct an enquiry to find out the reasons;

(f) if so, the details thereof; (g) whether the railways propose to develop its own technology to produce such coaches; and (h) if so, the time by which these coaches are likely to be manufactured indigenously?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)

(a) to (h): A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (h) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5015 BY SHRI ASHOK N. MOHOL, SHRI VIJAY GOEL AND SHRI JAI PRAKASH TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.4.2001 REGARDING TRIAL OF IMPORTED COACHES.

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The amount of foreign exchange incurred on import of 24 coaches from Germany is DM 52,663,500.

(c) The ALSTOM-LHB coaches undergoing trials in Northern Railway were damaged due to stone throwing incidences. However, the incidences did not take place on 4th March 2001 but on 3rd , 6th, 13th & 14th March 2001.

(d) The estimated loss suffered is approximately Rs. 2.8 lakh.

(e) The coaches were stoned by miscreants and therefore no enquiry was found necessary to find out the reasons.

(f) Does not arise.

(g) Yes, Sir. The Railways have entered into a Transfer of Technology contract with M/S ALSTOM-LHB, Germany in order to transfer the complete know-how for manufacture of 2nd class AC chair car, executive class chair car and generator-cum-brake van which were imported. The contract also covers complete design development and manufacturing of prototype of following 3 types of coaches:

(i) Air conditioned first class-cum- sleeper coach.

(ii) Air-conditioned sleeper coach.

(iii) Air-conditioned hot buffet coach. The contract also covers development of vendors for indigenous supply of components by suitable collaborations wherever necessary.

(h) It is proposed to manufacture 27 coaches during the year 2001-02. Number of coaches to be manufactured during subsequent years will be decided based on the requirement and availability of funds.