New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Railway Ministry are in discussions with the Ukraine-based wheel manufacturer and the Romanian Embassy to expedite the delivery of Vande Bharat Train wheels for a trial run, news agency ANI reported.
Speaking at a weekly press conference on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi revealed that some components (wheels) are stalled in war-torn Ukraine and that negotiations are underway to expedite delivery.
"Some components of 'Vande Bharat' (train) are made in Ukraine but due to the ongoing conflict, the delivery schedule has been impacted. We are looking for options for timely delivery. Railway ministry will give exact details of components' delivery," Bagchi was quoted by ANI in its report.
According to reports, a consignment of 128 wheels for the Vande Bharat train has arrived in Romania by road from war-torn Ukraine and would be sent to India soon. When asked if the wheels would be airlifted the next day, an MEA representative stated, "We are working on how we will take this component delivered."
According to reports, thousands of wheels for the Vande Bharat train were ordered from a Ukrainian manufacturer whose production has been hampered by the war. To fulfil its goal of launching 75 Vande Bharat "semi-high speed trains" on significant lines around the country by the end of this year.
According to sources, the previous intention to move the wheels from the Ukrainian port to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Maharashtra was stymied by the conflict.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed in her 2022 Budget address that 400 Vande Bharat trains will be produced over the next three years at a cost of between Rs 40,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore.
(With ANI Inputs)