Indian Railways achieves big milestone in coach production in FY 2024-25

New Delhi: Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone in the financial year 2024-25 by manufacturing 7,134 coaches, marking a 9 percent increase from the previous year’s production of 6,541 coaches. Special emphasis has been laid on A/C coaches with the production of 4,601 units, catering to the needs of the common man, an official release has said.

This rise reflects India’s growing emphasis on modernizing railway infrastructure to meet increasing passenger demand.

The Indian Railways has three coach manufacturing units in the country – Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala, Punjab, and Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the premier passenger coach producing unit of Indian Railways in Chennai, surpassed its previous production records for the year 2024-25, as it rolled out 3,007 coaches.

Growth in domestic manufacturing

Coach production in India has expanded substantially over the years. Between 2004 and 2014, Indian Railways manufactured less than 3,300 coaches on an average per year.

However, from 2014 to 2024, production saw a major boost with production of 54,809 coaches with an average of 5,481 coaches per year, aligning with the push for improved connectivity and self-reliance in Railway manufacturing.

The expansion is part of a broader effort to enhance domestic production capabilities, reduce dependence on imports and integrate advanced technology into Railway design.

Improving passenger experience and connectivity

The record-breaking coach production aligns with the government’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ vision, ensuring improved public transport services while also enabling domestic manufacturing.

With more coaches being introduced, passengers can expect better facilities, enhanced safety features and increased capacity to accommodate growing demand.

Additionally, this achievement strengthens the ‘Make in India initiative’, reinforcing India’s position as a key player in Railway manufacturing. By focusing on modern, energy-efficient and passenger-friendly coaches, Indian Railways is making significant strides toward building a more robust and future-ready transport network.

Railways is also undertaking large-scale measures with respect to electrification, high-speed corridors and upgraded passenger services, the release added.