Can Hirect’s indigenous tech power India’s new Vande Metro?

The Essentials

• Hirect has secured the development order to build the propulsion and control systems for the Vande Metro trainsets from the Rail Coach Factory.
• The ₹60 crore contract will be executed over 21 months and includes a comprehensive annual maintenance agreement.
• This transition to indigenous technology aims to improve the daily reliability of short-haul intercity commutes covering distances up to 250 km.

The Pulse

Hirect Limited has received the Vande Metro development order from the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala. Valued at approximately ₹60 crores, this marks the company’s formal entry into modern commuter train applications. Vande Metro, now operating under the Namo Bharat brand, serves as a self-propelled, fully air-conditioned commuter network designed for regional routes up to 250 km.

Does this mean faster intercity travel?

Yes, as the rolling stock supports operational speeds of up to 130 kmph while running as a unified 16-coach formation.

The order represents a deliberate shift toward domestic capability in railway electronics. Hirect, which started in 1958 in partnership with a UK firm, is now deploying its own indigenous R&D to power one of Indian Railways’ most crucial mobility projects. The company’s Nashik and Bhandup facilities will oversee the manufacturing process. Managing Director Suramya Nevatia noted this validates their continued investments in local engineering, moving beyond basic electrification into advanced propulsion.

The Breakdown

The hardware package consists of an IGBT-based 3-phase propulsion system, which dictates the acceleration and braking efficiency of the train. Hirect is also supplying the traction transformers that step down overhead line voltage, along with the traction motors that drive the axles. The entire setup is monitored and coordinated by the Train Control and Management System, which acts as the digital nervous system of the 16-coach trainset. Hirect is also responsible for the installation, testing, and commissioning of these systems, followed by an overarching annual maintenance contract to ensure mechanical and electronic longevity over the operational lifecycle.

The Distinction

Hirect is transitioning from being a legacy supplier of traction transformers and electrification parts to developing the entire IGBT-based 3-phase propulsion and Train Control and Management System in-house. Unlike older rolling stock that relied heavily on imported control electronics, this 16-coach Vande Metro configuration utilises strictly indigenously engineered traction systems. This represents a structural shift in how Indian Railways sources its core mobility hardware, moving a critical and high-value dependency to a local supplier rather than an international engineering conglomerate.

The Snapshot

Specification	Detail
Product	Vande Metro Propulsion and Control System
Manufacturer	Hirect Limited (formerly Hind Rectifiers Limited)
Client	Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala
Order Value	Approximately ₹60 crores
Execution Period	21 months
Trainset Configuration	16-coach fully air-conditioned
Maximum Operational Speed	130 kmph
Maximum Route Distance	250 km
Core Components	IGBT-based 3-phase propulsion, Traction Transformers, Traction Motors, TCMS

The Big Picture

The supply chain for Indian rail mobility is undergoing a quiet localisation process. Historically, advanced propulsion and train control systems for high-speed or premium commuter networks were awarded to European or Japanese manufacturing giants. The Vande Metro project changes that by integrating Indian engineering firms into the foundational architecture of the trains. Hirect stepping into this space means local firms are no longer just supplying ancillary parts but are now building the core drivetrains that move millions of intercity passengers.

The India Prospective

For the Indian commuter, this B2B contract translates directly to better maintenance and fewer delays on regional routes. When a Vande Metro train encounters a technical fault, having the control systems built by a domestic company means quicker troubleshooting and faster part replacement. It reduces the daily dependency on foreign supply chains, directly impacting the mechanical reliability of intercity travel across India’s rapidly expanding railway network.

The Inside Intel

Hirect actually began its journey in 1958 through a partnership with the UK’s Westinghouse, Brake & Signal. Over six decades later, the manufacturing firm that originally relied entirely on foreign technical collaboration operates out of Nashik and Bhandup to design completely indigenous traction electronics. They are now supplying the core mobility hardware for India’s most modern commuter railway initiatives.

The Unboxed Truth

Unbox Daily HQ considers this a critical development for Indian professionals relying on intercity travel, it dictates how efficiently you will commute in the near future. At ₹60 crores for the entire propulsion and control package across a 21-month execution, the government is securing heavy transit infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of importing European mobility technology. The inclusion of a comprehensive annual maintenance contract means the original designers remain responsible for the train’s daily reliability, reducing the downtime that plagues older railway stock. This is a necessary engineering shift that finally puts indigenous technology at the centre of India’s mass transit modernisation.

Best for: infrastructure investors and frequent intercity commuters who track the reliability of regional transit systems.

Who Is This For: Perfect for 28 to 55-year-old business travellers and railway industry analysts in India who monitor domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The Checkout

Hirect Official Site – India

The Source

Hirect Limited

The Query