Spoornet seeks Indian rail drivers and locos

CLIVE EMDON SPOORNET IS looking as far afield as India not only for locomotives but also for drivers, according to Business Line, the business section of The Hindu. The rail utility is interested “in large numbers – that could run into hundreds of loco drivers as well as diesel and electric locomotives from Indian Railways. At present, Indian Railways has between 60 000 and 70 000 loco drivers and assistant drivers,” according to the report. The demand for locos augurs well for Indian Railways, which is planning to ramp up its loco manufacturing capacity to serve domestic as well as offshore demand. Indian Railways plans to set up two factories with an annual capacity to manufacture 150 diesel locomotives and 120 electric locomotives. It proposes to set up these units in a joint venture with global loco manufacturing majors.