TRSL's Foray Into Wheelset Mfg Timely Amid Supply Disruptions

Kolkata: Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) has entered the forged wheel manufacturing business through a joint venture with Ramkrishna Forgings, aiming to ease the country's ongoing shortage of wheelsets which is crucial for train and coach production, an official said on Tuesday. The company's Freight Rolling Stock vertical reported a 5.6 per cent jump in consolidated revenue to Rs3,610 crore for FY25, the official said adding that the new vertical aligns with the Centre's push for import substitution and self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The company stated that its plan to stabilise production at around 950 to 1,000 wagons per month was hampered over the past two quarters due to a shortage of wheelsets. It attributed the issue to supply constraints at the Rail Wheel Factory in Bangalore, the mandated supplier under railway board contracts.

However, the situation is expected to improve from June onwards as production at the factory is likely to normalise, the TRSL official said. “One of the most significant developments of the year has been our foray into wheel manufacturing. We see this as a national service and a big opportunity. The import dependence must end,” Vice Chairman and Managing Director Umesh Chowdhary told media.