For WR, retrofitting of 20 rakes of 9-car will be done at its Mahalaxmi workshop and work for 38 rakes of CR will be done at the Matunga Workshop.

According to Railway sources, the decision of retrofitting has earned the ire of many officials of Western and Central Railway, who have been protesting the move, saying that the huge amount spent on old rakes, which have completed more than half of their codal life, will be a wastage of time and money. Rs 13.5 crore will be spent on each rake for retrofitting work. Total expenditure on 60 rakes will be Rs 810.10 crore. The cost of a new rake of 9-car, on the other hand, is Rs 30 crore.

According to sources, the electrification work was supposed to be done by Siemens and other fitments, including wiring, cabling and ducting, were to be done by local contract arrangements at Mahalaxmi workshop (WR) and Matunga workshop (CR). For first two rakes, bogies and wheels were to be supplied by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. For the remaining rakes, Railway board has to make procurement through different agencies.

When contacted, Shyam Sunder Gupta, Chief Public Relations Officer of WR said, “After the retrofitment work, commissioning is needed (which includes several things, before coming on track). Now contract of commission is under finalisation. It may be given to Siemens or any other company.”

“It is just a formality. When equipment are supplied by Siemens, then commissioning work will be done by them only,” said a source at Mahalaxmi workshop, adding “It should have been done by now.”

... contd.