Make in India in Railways: MSMEs Need Bigger Role to Boost Local Manufacturing, Says Daulat Ram MD

Описание: 00:00 - Intro: Make in India Boom in Indian Railways
00:30 - Welcome: Interview with CP Sharma, MD of Daultaram Engineering
00:40 - Is Make in India on Track? Vision and Slogans
01:12 - Global Mindset: Local Production for Export Success
01:37 - Traction Motors: Exporting to USA, Africa, and Australia
01:55 - Navigating US Tariffs: Competitive Pricing Wins Orders
02:42 - Quality Focus: Materials, Design, Testing, and Packaging
03:50 - Export Destinations: Spotlight on African Markets
04:10 - Vande Bharat Boost: Benefits for Indian Industries
04:27 - MSME Role: Need for Bigger Opportunities in Rail Projects
05:15 - Foreign Firms Disguised as Local: Winning Big Orders
06:24 - Restrictive Qualifications: Barriers for Genuine MSMEs
07:01 - Success Story: Building from Scratch Without Foreign Help
07:53 - Personal Anecdote: Robin Sharma's Trust and First Order
09:06 - Real Make in India Spirit: Faith Over Facilities
09:49 - Trust in MSMEs: Open Windows for New Players
10:28 - Current Supplies: Traction Motors for Locomotives
10:48 - Innovative AC: Reverse Cycle for All-Season Comfort
11:21 - Safety Edge: Fire-Proof Design Without Heaters
11:53 - Pantographs: High-Reach for Freight and High-Speed
12:19 - Vande Bharat AC: Tech Tweaks for Premium Quality
12:59 - Closing Thoughts: Media's Role in Promoting Indian Industry
13:52 - Outro: Empowering MSMEs for Manufacturing Hub Vision

In an exclusive interview with NewsStation, C.P. Sharma, Managing Director of Daulat Ram Engineering, hailed the government's Make in India initiative as a game-changer for India's railway sector but called for urgent reforms to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Speaking amid massive investments in infrastructure like Vande Bharat trains and high-speed corridors, Sharma argued that restrictive tender frameworks are sidelining local players in favor of large corporations—many of which are foreign firms masquerading as domestic entities.
"India's time has come," Sharma said, adapting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan "Local Arise, Global Search" to emphasize producing world-class products with global quality and mindset. His company, a homegrown engineering firm, exemplifies this ethos. Daulat Ram Engineering manufactures traction motors for locomotives, which are exported to advanced markets like the United States, Africa, and Australia—despite a recent 50% U.S. tariff hike imposed under former President Donald Trump.
"Our prices are already highly competitive," Sharma noted. "Even after the 50% tariff, orders keep coming. It feels like we've been selling too cheaply sometimes, but we're still profitable, and our products are moving." He attributed this success to rigorous quality controls, from premium materials and innovative designs to meticulous testing and export-grade packaging. "Quality is paramount," he stressed. "We've even salvaged India's reputation abroad after rejections from other suppliers. Now, foreign customers embrace our products openly."
Exports form a cornerstone of the company's strategy. Beyond the U.S., Daulat Ram sends substantial volumes to African nations including Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. "These partners trust us for reliable, high-performance components," Sharma added.
Turning to domestic opportunities, Sharma expressed optimism about projects like Vande Bharat semi-high-speed trains and the upcoming Vande Sleeper variant. "Indian industries like ours, with decades in the railway ecosystem, will certainly benefit," he said. However, he voiced a strong caveat: MSMEs must play a central role. "Foreign companies are coming in as 'desi' firms and scooping up big orders. That's not true Make in India."
The core issue, according to Sharma, lies in overly restrictive qualification criteria for railway tenders. Requirements like prior production of 250 coaches or sky-high turnover thresholds exclude capable MSMEs. "We need a window for new players," he urged. "Trust local capabilities—look at a company's 40-year track record in a competitive global market, where even foreign firms use our products. Turnover or facilities shouldn't be barriers; we'll build them if given the chance."
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