NEW DELHI: In the largest export order for any public transporter, Indian railways is all set to supply modern locomotives and train sets to Sri Lanka, worth £68 million. Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), has secured its largest export order from Sri Lanka Railways for the supply of 10 broad gauge diesel locomotives and six diesel multiple units train sets.
A senior Railway Ministry official said that all locomotives and train sets would be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and manufactured in Varanasi and Chennai. The contract will be funded under the Indian Line of Credit to Sri Lanka announced in 2011, and supplies will be made over the next two years. The total amount of assistance to the Sri Lanka Railways from India, has been over $1284 million. RITES, which also serves as the railways' export arm, is currently executing a contract for the supply of eighteen locomotives to Myanmar Railways too.
Besides providing expertise for setting up railway maintenance facilities and training for Sri Lanka's railway officials during 2008-12, RITES had also earlier exported 20 DMU train sets, and three locomotives to the island nation. Locomotives' supplies from Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi would be completed in 2017-18.
