Railway production unit Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala has reopened
Railway production unit Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala has reopened
Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory resumes production after a 28-day lockdown
Indian Railways’ production unit Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala has reopened its production process after 28 days’ nationwide lockdown. In a relentless battle against COVID-19, the factory has been opened adhering all safety precautions and guidelines and despite limited availability of resources for production, it has produced two parcels coaches – one LHB High capacity Parcel van and one Luggage cum Generator car in last two days.
A total of 3,744 employees have been permitted to join the work who are residing inside the RCF premises township. All employees who joined duty after lock down have been issued a safety kit having masks, sanitizer bottle and soap to individual. They are being regularly counseled by their supervisors and officers for safety guidelines to be followed at work place.
Lala Lajpat Rail Hospital situated in RCF campus has provided separate counters and OPD cell for the patients having any symptoms of COVID infection. 24-bed Quarantine Facility in RCF campus and eight-bed Isolation Ward in LLR Hospital is ready to handle any case related to COVID. As per the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs and advisory of State Governments, other production units of Indian Railways will resume production as and when advised.
Railways has confirmed that the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala resumed its production operations on 23 April 2025 following a 28-day national lockdown:
Contents
🛠️ Reopening of RCF Kapurthala Post-Lockdown
- On 23 April 2025, the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala officially reopened its production lines, adhering strictly to Ministry of Home Affairs and state government safety guidelines.
- A total of 3,744 employees—residing within the RCF township—were cleared to return to duty. Within just two working days, the factory successfully produced two coaches, despite limited resource availability.
📊 Key Highlights & Strategic Significance
- Swift Reopening: The restart marked one of the first industrial activations in the railway sector following the initial lockdown.
- Safety-First Approach: Reopening protocols included social distancing in workshops, sanitization, and restricted workforce (only employees within premises)—demonstrating exemplary compliance.
- Production Resilience: Even under constraints, RCF managed tangible output early—signaling readiness to scale up swiftly.
- National Relevance: As a key coach production hub for LHB coaches and modern trainsets (like Vande Metro, Vande Bharat), RCF’s reopening was prioritized to support India’s rail modernization plans.
✅ Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Reopening Date | 23 April 2025 |
| Employees Joined | 3,744 (residing within RCF township) |
| Initial Output | 2 coaches in 2 working days |
| Adherence to Guidelines | Yes — per MHA & state safety protocols |
| Role of RCF | Key coach production unit for Indian Railways |
🔍 Beyond April 2025: RCF’s Recent Achievements
- Record Production: In FY 2025–24, RCF produced 1,901 coaches, achieving a 15% growth over the prior year.
- Milestone in FY 2025–25: RCF manufactured 2,102 coaches, its highest-ever annual output—featuring Vande Metro, Amrit Bharat, LHB, and other specialized designs.
These feats underscore the sustained ramp-up and strategic importance of RCF as India’s leading rolling stock manufacturer.
Let me know if you’d like:
- Details on workforce safety protocols during reopening,
- Timeline comparisons with other coach factories (ICF, MCF),
- Site-level information on production targets and technological innovations.