Indian Railways flagged off the first indigenously manufactured aluminium freight rake in quest for a green network

The statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, managing the fourth largest national railway system in the world, Indian Railways attains another milepost by securing its first indigenously manufactured aluminium goods train rake. Aluminium goods trains differ from previous ones because they're lighter but have more freight capacity than their predecessors. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged it off in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The rake is 180 tonnes more lightweight than existing steel rakes, stemming in increased speed and lower power consumption for the same distance. The Indian Railways will save more than 14,500 tonnes of carbon with one rake that will reduce carbon emissions by 8 to 10 tonnes over its lifetime. 

The national transporter, Indian Railways, said, "It is manufactured in collaboration with Besco Limited Wagon Division and aluminium major Hindalco, while it also has a lower carbon footprint for every 100 kg of weight reduction in wagons. The rake is 180 tonnes lighter than existing steel rakes, resulting in increased speed and lower power consumption for the same distance."

"It can carry 180 tonnes extra payload per trip over conventional rakes and, being corrosion resistant, will reduce maintenance costs", the transporter added.

"The fully lock-bolted construction was used to build these wagons without welding on the superstructure.

The new rakes have an 80 per cent resale value and a 10-year longer lifespan compared to normal ones. But the manufacturing cost is 35 per cent higher as the superstructure is all aluminium."

The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said, "This is a proud moment for the country, and our drive for indigenisation as these lightweight aluminium wagons are a big innovation for the Indian Railways."

"These wagons save 14,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions, have more carrying capacity, consume less energy and are corrosion-resistant. They are 100 per cent recyclable, and even after 30 years, they will be as good as new. These aluminium wagons will enable us to achieve our climate goals."

Hindalco commented, "The railways planning to deploy more than one lakh wagons in the coming years, the potential annual CO2 reduction could be to the tune of over 25 lakh tonnes, with around a 15 to 20 per cent shift to aluminium wagons. This is a notable contribution to the country's sustainability goals."

RDSO-approved wagons fabricated by Besco are made from high-strength aluminium alloy plates and extrusions manufactured locally at Hindalco's rolling facility in Hirakud, Odisha, leveraging its global technology.