An Indo-Russian partnership has secured a ₹1,100 crore contract from Indian Railways to supply and maintain advanced track maintenance equipment. Their bid was about 35% lower than a competing offer from a Kanpur-based firm in collaboration with a Ukrainian company.
The systems will be deployed across 18 railway zones, including dedicated freight corridors, to detect internal rail cracks using cutting-edge diagnostic technology. Early identification and repair of such cracks help prevent derailments and extend track life. Australia-based Rail Technology International was also in contention for the order.
Ravi Raj, Director (Projects) at Noida-based ADJ Engineering, which partnered with Moscow-based TVEMA for this contract, said, “We are committed to achieving 51% local content under the Make in India initiative.”
The contract covers the supply of 18 self-propelled ultrasonic testing vehicles and 216 single-rail ultrasonic testers, along with a seven-year operations and maintenance agreement. The systems will use AI and machine learning tools to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
While India has largely localized its Integrated Track Monitoring System (ITMS), this new order requires technology transfer from Russia. TVEMA, through its partnership with ADJ Engineering, has previously supplied ITMS and semi-high-speed track inspection vehicles to Indian Railways, including a diagnostic railcar capable of continuous ultrasonic testing on India’s broad gauge tracks (1,676 mm).
