Showing keenness in a rail venture, more than a dozen global players including companies from Japan, China, Spain and South Korea have joined the race to bag the Rs 2500 cr 'Train Set' project. Railways have floated global tenders inviting bidders for the procurement of 15 EMU Train Sets, a first for Indian Railways. 'Train Sets', known for faster acceleration and deceleration, are to be pressed on Rajdhani and Shatabdi routes with the aim of reducing travel time between cities.
Total 23 companies from various parts of the globe have participated in the pre-bid conference of the proposed 'Train Sets', said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project.
The selected bidder is to manufacture and supply about 315 rail cars with AC sleeper as well seating facilities. While five companies including Toshiba, Kawasaki, Hitachi and Sojith have participated in the bidding process, Germany-based Siemens, Canada-based Bombardier, Hyundai from South Korea, Alstom from France, Transmashholding from Moscow have joined the competition.
Two Chinese companies, one from Spain have also shown interest in the project. Besides two PSUs — BEML and Bhel — are also in the bidding race.