The Indian Railways has awarded a Rs 817.74 crore wagon manufacturing contract to a joint venture of SAIL and RITES, and the first tender for wagon procurement awarded by the Railways in the current financial year.

These bogie open wagons (BOXNHL) will be utilised for transporting coal and iron ore. The tender for 2,000 such wagons was awarded in the last week of April to SAIL-RITES Bengal Wagon Industry (SRBWIPL).

In March 2024, Kolkata based Besco, Hindustan Engineering and Industries (HEI), Jupiter Wagons, and Titagarh Rail Systems were awarded the tender for supplying Bogie Open Wagon (BOSM) to the Indian Railways. HEI was awarded the order for supplying 4,500 wagons worth Rs 1,924.88 crore, while Titagarh Rail Systems  bagged an order for 4,463 wagons worth Rs 1,909.05 crore.

The interim budget has proposed earmarking Rs 41,086.09 crore towards purchasing rolling stock such as engines, wagons, and coaches in 2024-25. Total capex for the Railways is budgeted at Rs 2.52 lakh crore for the current financial year, up from 2.40 lakh crore in 2023-24.