AT Railway, a subsidiary of Amber Enterprises India Ltd., has recently formed a joint venture with South Korea’s Yujin Machinery Ltd. This collaboration aims to design, manufacture, and develop critical components such as driving gears, couplers, and pantographs for various types of rolling stock used in India’s railway infrastructure. These components will cater to a wide range of vehicles, including high-speed trains, metro trains, regional rapid transit systems, Vande Bharat trains, wagons, trams, and other products of the Indian Railways. The joint venture, in which AT Railway holds a majority stake, signifies a significant step towards enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities and fostering self-reliance in line with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives promoted by the Government of India.
This strategic partnership with Yujin Machinery Ltd. enables AT Railway to gain access to advanced technology and expertise in the production of driving gears, couplers, and pantographs. By leveraging the strengths of both companies, the joint venture aims to establish itself as a leading manufacturer in the Indian railway ecosystem. Sidwal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT Railway, is already renowned for manufacturing HVAC systems, pantry facilities, doors, and gangways for rolling stock. With the inclusion of driving gears, couplers, and pantographs, the Amber Group, to which AT Railway belongs, aims to further enhance its contribution to each coach’s functionality, thereby increasing its market share within the industry.
Indian rolling stock infrastructure sector to benefit
This collaboration is not only advantageous for AT Railway and the Amber Group but also for the entire Indian rolling stock infrastructure sector. In an industry predominantly dominated by multinational corporations, this joint venture will advance the objectives of self-reliance and domestic manufacturing capacity building. By focusing on indigenous design and production, the initiative aligns with the government’s vision of promoting local manufacturing, creating employment opportunities, and nurturing skill development.
Commenting on the joint venture, a spokesperson from Amber Enterprises India Ltd. expressed excitement about the partnership with Yujin Machinery Ltd. The spokesperson highlighted the strategic significance of combining resources to become a key player in manufacturing critical rolling stock components. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both companies towards supporting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. With substantial investments planned and access to cutting-edge technology from their Korean partners, the joint venture is poised to capture a significant share of the burgeoning railway rolling stock market in India.
The government has prioritised the modernisation and expansion of railway infrastructure, as evidenced by the substantial budget allocation of Rs 2.55 lakh crore to the Indian Railways for fiscal 2024-25. This allocation reflects the government’s unwavering focus on the railway sector’s development. Given this conducive environment, the addressable market for railway sub-systems in India is estimated to be between Rs 75,000 – 80,000 crores over the next 5-6 years, presenting ample opportunities for growth and innovation in the sector.
Significant milestone in India’s railway sector
The joint venture between AT Railway and Yujin Machinery Ltd. represents a significant milestone in India’s railway sector. By collaborating to manufacture critical components domestically, the partnership not only strengthens the country’s self-reliance but also contributes to job creation, technology transfer, and overall economic growth. As the railway sector continues to expand, initiatives like these will play a pivotal role in realizing the vision of a modern and self-sufficient railway ecosystem in India.