Kolkata factory to build coaches for Metro and Vande Bharat trains
A significant chapter in India’s rail infrastructure evolution is unfolding at Hindmotor in Uttarpara, where a newly established factory will soon begin production of metro coaches and Vande Bharat train components. Developed by a private rail manufacturing firm on land formerly owned by a defunct automobile company, the plant marks a transformation of the site into a symbol of industrial revival. The facility is expected to support the country’s growing demand for advanced, indigenous, and eco-friendly public transport solutions, while also generating local employment and boosting manufacturing capabilities in West Bengal.
The unit is part of a strategic investment aimed at strengthening India’s railway ecosystem with homegrown technology and streamlined supply chains. With the metro network expanding rapidly in Indian cities and Vande Bharat trains gaining traction as high-speed intercity options, domestic production hubs like this one are essential for ensuring timely delivery, cost efficiency, and sustainable scaling. Officials have indicated that the unit will contribute to India’s ‘Make in India’ goals by reducing dependence on imports for rolling stock and bringing skilled engineering jobs to the region. The new facility represents a blend of heritage and innovation, as the industrial land—once a symbol of India’s fading automobile era—is reimagined to fuel next-generation mobility. Local stakeholders see this as a boost to regional development and a catalyst for transforming Uttarpara-Hindmotor into a transport manufacturing cluster.
Besides supplying coaches to metro rail corporations and Indian Railways, the plant is expected to serve future export markets as well, reinforcing India’s ambitions of becoming a global supplier of affordable and green transit solutions. The proximity to Kolkata and its port also supports logistics efficiency.The launch of this facility also aligns with broader national goals of transitioning to cleaner, more resilient urban transportation systems. As metro rail networks are increasingly promoted to reduce vehicular emissions in crowded cities, the timely availability of domestically manufactured coaches becomes crucial. Experts note that by producing these coaches locally, the government can significantly lower the carbon footprint associated with long-distance imports and logistics. Additionally, this facility could play a key role in decentralising industrial growth, reducing pressure on traditional manufacturing hubs, and promoting equitable urbanisation in tier-2 regions like Uttarpara and North 24-Parganas.
As Indian cities push for climate-friendly transit and modal shift away from private vehicles, the need for accessible, fast, and low-emission public transport is growing sharply. Modernising railway coach production is not only an economic imperative but also a social and environmental necessity. With this unit, the region can contribute directly to India’s net-zero ambitions while creating livelihood opportunities in a sector that promises long-term resilience and equitable growth. By converting industrial brownfields into mobility-driven assets, Kolkata sets an example in sustainable redevelopment.
