Innovation
October 2022 marked a significant milestone for us as we launched our all-aluminium freight train at Bhubaneshwar Railway Station—a strategic step towards our vision of developing low-carbon and cost-effective transportation solutions for the nation.
Aluminium is a strong, durable, lightweight and cost-effective metal, making it a preferred choice for use in transport. Besides being 180 tonne lighter than typical steel rakes, our all-aluminium wagons have a higher carrying capacity of up to 10% and consume lesser energy—each reducing carbon dioxide emissions by a stunning 14,500 tonne over its lifetime. Our new 61-wagon rake will transport coal to Aditya Aluminium, our aluminium smelter in Sambalpur, Odisha.
"The launch of India's first aluminium freight rake is a testimony to our capability and commitment to offer smart and sustainable solutions for nation building. Hindalco is steadfast in bringing together the best of global technologies with local resources to make Indian Railways' logistics more efficient and contribute to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat."
Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries Ltd.
The new wagons are based on Research Design and Standards Organization approved designs, developed by Hindalco in collaboration with Besco Wagon. Using high-strength aluminium alloy plates from our state-of-the-art rolling facility at Hirakud, Odisha, and extrusions from our integrated facility in Renukoot, Uttar Pradesh, these rakes deliver several superior benefits to freighters. For instance, the lightweight rake offers transporters a 19% higher payload and comes with superior crash absorption capabilities.
"This is a proud moment for the country and our drive for indigenisation as these lightweight aluminium wagons are a big innovation for Indian Railways."
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology
With India's freight sector expected to touch 15 billion tonne by 2050, the Indian Railways plans to deploy more than 100,000 wagons over the next few years. The innovation of our all-aluminium rake will result in massive operational savings for the Indian Railways. Even if 15-20% of railway wagons are built with aluminium, the potential carbon dioxide reduction could well be over 2.5 million tonne per year. Moreover, this significantly improves India's energy security by reducing the need for imported fossil fuels.
The Indian Railways has already announced plans to make aluminium-bodied Vande Bharat trains. These will deliver higher speeds, better travel experience and added safety to passengers. While aluminium trains are common in China, USA, Europe and Japan, Hindalco hopes to bring to India the superior experience and competitive edge that aluminium-body coaches and rakes offer. We are also proud to contribute to the nation's carbon goals.
