The Minister announced that Rail wheels using forging process will be manufactured in Tamil Nadu and ICF will manufacture Standard Gauge Vande Bharat rakes for export

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology inaugurated Qualcomm’s Chennai Design Center  and launched its 6G University Research India Program on, 14th March 2023, in the presence of Shri Cristiano Amon, President & CEO, Qualcomm Incorported at the Ramanujan IT City, Taramani, Chennai.  This initiative marks a crucial step forward in Qualcomm’s journey of innovation also strengthening its presence in India. This expansion entails an investment of Rs. 177.27 crore.

Following the inauguration of the Chennai Design center Shri. Ashwini Vaishnaw interacted with the media at the venue. 

He pointed out that all the three semiconductor chips in Qualcomm board will be designed  now end to end in the newly inaugurated Chennai Design Center and thus meeting the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of creating entire value chain of semi conductor in India starting from design, fabrication and ATMP ( Assembling, Testing, Marking and Packaging) and encompassing further all three layers of semiconductor ecosystem, viz., talent pool, gases and chemicals and semiconductor equipment. 

The Minister also pointed out the with foundation stone laying for three projects of semiconductor by Hon’ble PM on 13-3-2024, the Nation will have capability in all fields i.e, design, fabrication and ATMP.  “We have programmed with 104 universities spread across the nation where latest design tools are made available to the students, to learn, experiment and try out new ideas”, the Minister noted.

Following announcements were made in respect to railways:

1. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that wheels using forging process will be manufactured in Tamil nadu and the construction work has already started and production will commence in 16-18 months. This manufacturing unit in Gummidipoondi, Tamill Nadu will have a huge production capacity of 2.5 lakhs per year. Of which, 80000 will be consumed in India and remaining 1.7 lakhs will be exported. Minister pointed out we have been importer of forged wheels for the last 60-70 years and now with this plant being set up, India will become exporter of forged wheels.

2. The Minister announced that Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai will now develop standard gauge Vande Bharat as it is standard gauge which is used in Railway across the world.  Presently,  Broad gauge Vande Bharat is being manufactured in ICF for use in Indian Railway network. The Minister pointed out that if we have to export Vande bharat rakes 5  years from now we have to start now the process of designing as the process of designing, testing, getting national and international approval and manufacturing is a lengthy process. The Minister emphasized that this will add to the export potential of ICF in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.