Aimed at expanding its footprint in the Urban Transportation Sector as part of its diversification initiatives, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), has entered into a Technology Collaboration Agreement with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI), Japan for the manufacture of stainless steel coaches and bogies for metros.
To this effect, the Technology Collaboration Agreement was signed by Mr. Amitabh Mathur, Director (IS&P), BHEL and Mr. Makoto Ogawara, Senior Vice President, KHI in the presence of Mr. Atul Sobti, Chairman and Managing Director, BHEL and Mr. Yoshinori Kanehana, President, KHI.
The agreement covers establishing state-of-the-art design, engineering and manufacturing facilities at BHEL, India using Japanese technology. Significantly, it will also entitle BHEL for all technology advances and upgrades as well. BHEL has been a reliable partner in the growth of Indian Railways for over 50 years by supplying electric as well as diesel locomotives, EMUs, and propulsion system sets and drives for the same. Notably, Kolkata Metro, the first Metro in India, is equipped with BHEL made propulsion system.
KHI is a leading manufacturer of heavy equipment/products and its Rolling Stock Company has supplied EMU (Metro/Commuter) trainsets to various countries like USA, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong etc., besides Japan. KHI, is also the manufacturer and supplier of the Shinkansen High Speed Bullet Trains, proposed to be introduced in India on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor.
The Agreement has been signed in the backdrop of our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s “Make in India” initiative, and will enable BHEL to produce stainless steel coaches indigenously and help in bringing technology upgrades in its expanding portfolio.