Indian Railways Boosts Coach Production by 9% in 2024-25, Signals Robust Growth
Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone in the 2024-25 financial year, producing 7,134 coaches a 9% jump from the 6,541 units manufactured in 2023-24, according to a statement from the railway ministry released on Thursday. This increase underscores the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its rail infrastructure to accommodate rising passenger demand.
The ministry highlighted a deliberate focus on non-air-conditioned coaches, with 4,601 units rolled out in 2024-25 to better serve the needs of everyday travelers. “This uptick demonstrates India’s commitment to enhancing railway facilities for the common man.
Indian Railways operates three key coach production facilities: the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu; the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab; and the Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Among these, ICF, the leading passenger coach manufacturer, set a new benchmark this year by producing 3,007 coaches, surpassing its previous records for 2024-25, the ministry reported.
The statement also provided a broader perspective on production trends. Over the decade from 2004 to 2014, coach manufacturing averaged fewer than 3,300 units annually. However, between 2014 and 2024, output surged, with a total of 54,809 coaches produced an average of 5,481 per year. This marked increase reflects a strategic push toward improved connectivity and greater self-sufficiency in railway manufacturing, the ministry noted.
