New Delhi, June 23 -- The Railways Ministry on Monday refuted the allegations of "conflict of interest" against Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in connection with the contract bid for locomotive manufacturing in Gujarat's Dahod and said that the tender process for the manufacturing and maintenance of 9,000 horsepower (HP) electric locomotives was "transparent" while clarifying that the bidder with the lowest price was awarded the contract.

According to an official release, "the tender for manufacturing and maintaining 9,000 hp electric locomotives was executed in a transparent manner. There are two electric locomotive manufacturers globally who have the capability to design and manufacture 9000 hp electric locomotives - Alstom and Sie...