Indian Railways is set to build its first railway wheel testing facility at its factory in Yelahanka in Karnataka state.
One sample wheel from each lot currently has to be shipped to America to be tested and certified before they can enter service.
Wheels and axles are tested to assess their chemical composition, micro and macro properties of the material, magnetic particles, ultrasonic testing, hardness, dimensional parameters and surface finish in accordance with the quality assurance programme of the Association of American Railroads.
Indian Minister of State for Railways Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy approved the WDRTC centre in the 2011-12 budget at a cost of $6.65 million, but rising costs have led to delays in any final announcement.
The project will now finally go ahead after revised estimates were approved by the Railway board.
