Railways to tighten component checks to fix warranty gaps

New Delhi: The Indian Railways will tighten the compliance framework for component warranty, after several recent instances where illegible markings on mechanical parts involved in equipment failures hindered identification of their manufacturers.

Mandatory markings vary by component, but generally include the manufacturer's name or code, serial or batch number, month and year of manufacture, drawing or material code, heat number and other specified details. Location of the markings, as well as their size, depth, type and application method must conform with Railways Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) specifications, drawings and approved quality assurance plans.

Also read | Bullet train: First steel bridge set up in Maharashtra after being transported over 1,000 km


The RDSO has directed zonal railways, wagon manufacturers and inspection agencies to strictly enforce the prescribed marking scheme for critical freight components, a senior official told ET. "Zonal railways will also conduct random checks on newly supplied components during receipt, fitment and inspection at workshops, routine overhaul depots and examination yards," the official said.

The compulsory markings were incomplete, illegible or absent on components involved in several recent cases of equipment failure, the official said. "This affected traceability and made it difficult to establish the responsibility of the manufacturer or vendor concerned." The components in focus now include couplers, draft gears, brake blocks, compressed-air brake equipment, helical springs, side bearers, adapters, brake beams, friction wedges, bogies, liners and wear plates.

Also read | Chabahar-Zahedan rail link completed, to boost India's access to Central Asia

Checks are expected to cover the presence of markings but also their completeness, accuracy, location, method, dimensions, depth and legibility. "If markings are missing, incomplete, incorrect or illegible, the entire lot of the component concerned will be rejected," the official said. The manufacturers or supplier-vendors of those components must arrange replacement under the applicable warranty or contractual provisions, as per the proposed framework. For several categories, manufacturers must replace the rejected components free of cost and bear the transportation expenses as well. The Quality Assurance (Mechanical) Directorate and third-party inspection agencies have been told to verify compliance during inspections.