Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) has chosen a path different from most Indian manufacturers. While its coaches already meet strict European benchmarks, the company is keeping its focus firmly on India.
“The quality and the designs we make are up to par with the most advanced European standards,” says Deputy Managing Director Prithish Chowdhary. “We’re focused on India because the scale, complexity, and opportunity here are unmatched. We do want to be a global brand, but first we want to be rock solid at home.”
Rail boom drives expansion
India’s rail sector is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades, powered by high-speed projects, new metro networks, and the Make-in-India program. TRSL is aligning itself with this surge in demand by doubling the size of its flagship plant in Uttarpara, West Bengal.
The expansion adds 40 acres to the existing 34-acre facility. A new 1.5 km integrated test track—upgraded from the earlier 400–600 meters—will allow in-house testing of longer formations such as the 16-coach Vande Bharat trains. This reduces reliance on external test facilities and shortens delivery timelines.
A step into shipbuilding
TRSL is also branching out into shipbuilding. The company has secured land in Falta, West Bengal, to overcome limitations of its current yard, where vessel size is capped by infrastructure.
Its capabilities in the sector are not entirely new. A coastal research vessel built by TRSL was part of President Ram Nath Kovind’s fleet review, one of the few non-naval vessels on display and a notable Make-in-India highlight. The move into shipbuilding is less a diversion and more a logical extension of its engineering expertise.
Building for efficiency and sustainability
At Uttarpara, TRSL has integrated solar power, rainwater harvesting, and automation tools to bring down energy use. “For us, energy efficiency is both ways—not just in our operations but also in the product we deliver,” Chowdhary notes.
With India’s railway network now 99 percent electrified, TRSL’s rolling stock directly supports national climate goals. The company has also invested in advanced robotics from Japan and Korea, which consume less energy while boosting production.
Order book at record levels
As of August 13, 2025, TRSL’s confirmed orders stood at 1,838 coaches, including metro and Vande Bharat units. The company’s bet on prioritizing India before chasing global markets may well determine whether it emerges as the country’s first true multinational in this sector.
