CRRC to Set Up Metro Coach Plant in Butibori, Maharashtra

After winning a Rs. 851 crore contract to supply 69 coaches for Nagpur Metro’s project, the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) has selected MIDC Butibori Extension in Maharashtra to set up its Indian plant to manufacture metro railway coaches and ancillary parts/equipment. This location, just south of Nagpur, was selected keeping not only Nagpur Metro’s order in mind, but also its central location in India to serve 5 existing Indian customers (see list) and future customers.

This Saturday, CRRC will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra’s Industries department in the presence of the India’s Tranport Minister Nithin Gadkari and the state’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, who in the past has shown keen interest in having a metro coach manufacturer set up a unit in the state.

Mumbai Metro’s CRRC Rolling Stock – Image adapted from Louis Berger

Model presented by CRRC to Maharashtra’s CM in Oct 2015 – Photo Copyright: Devendra Fadnavis

As per Leng You who serves as CRRC’s Head of International Business, CRRC will invest Rs 1,500 crore over five years and provide employment for more than 5000 people at their plant which will be spread across 250 acres:

CRRC has already set up three rolling stock manufacturing units outside China in Turkey, Malaysia and South Africa. We have recently signed another agreement with the Georgian government for setting up a unit. We have already set up our railway equipment manufacturing plant in Haryana earlier this year. Nagpur has been chosen for its central location and railway connectivity

As per Nagpur Metro’s Managing Director Brijesh Dixit:

Metro rail projects in at least 50 cities are in the pipeline. There are several cities having population of over 20 lakh and more will cross this figure in the coming days due to rapid pace of urbanization. Moreover, there is a huge potential for exports. Around 50% cars and bikes manufactured in India are exported. Bombardier exports coaches made in India to Australia.

Once ready, this will be CRRC’s 2nd unit in India. Its first unit just opened in August in Haryana from where it intends to manufacture and repair railway locomotive engines – see CRRC’s press release for info and images. Overall, this will be the 3rd foreign metro coach manufacturing plant in India with Bombardier based in Savli (Gujarat) and Alstom based in Sri City (Andhra Pradesh).

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– TMRG