Indo-Russian consortium bags Indian Railways' ₹1,100 cr track upkeep contract

New Delhi: An Indo-Russian consortium has bagged a roughly ₹1,100 crore contract from the Indian Railways to supply and maintain track maintenance equipment, with a bid price 35% lower than that of a partnership between a Kanpur-based company and a Ukrainian firm.

These systems will be deployed at 18 railway zones, including dedicated freight corridors, to detect internal rail cracks using advanced diagnostic technologies. Australia-headquartered Rail Technology International was also in the fray for this order. Early detection and treatment of these cracks can prevent train accidents like derailments and extend the life of tracks.

"We are committed to achieving 51% local content under Make in India Initiative," said Ravi Raj, director (projects) at Noida-based ADJ Engineering, which partnered with Russian railway testing systems and safety services company TVEMA for this contract.


The contract is for the supply of 18 of self-propelled ultrasonic testing vehicles and 216 single rail ultrasonic testers, along with a seven-year operations and maintenance contract, he told ET.

These systems will be using AI and machine learning tools.

While India has largely localised its integrated track monitoring system (ITMS), this new supply and maintenance bid requires transfer of technology from Russia.

Moscow-based TVEMA, through its partnership with ADJ Engineering, has supplied ITMS and semi-high-speed track inspection cars to the national transporter. It has introduced a diagnostic railcar in India capable of continuous ultrasonic testing on the Indian broad gauge (1676 mm).