Question : SETTING UP OF WHEEL AND AXLE PLANT



(a) the number of Wheel and Axle plants in the country alongwith their rate of performance?

(b) whether the Government propose to set up a new Wheel and Axle Plant in Chhapra, Bihar; and

(c) if so, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )

a) Railways are presently manufacturing Wheels and Axles in house at Rail Wheel Factory (RWF), Bangalore besides getting indigenous supplies from Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP). The total wheels and axles produced in these plants during the last three years are as under:-

2001-02	2002-03	2003-04
RWF Wheels 83760 101554 110407 Axles 35911 43322 50513
DSP Wheels 43371 41686 46020 Axles 6533 6260 3941



b) An announcement has been made in the Railway Budget speech for the year 2004-05.This proposed plant will be for manufacturing wheels only.

c) There is expected to be a shortfall in the wheels manufacture capacity available in the country.