Hindalco Industries Ltd and Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd have entered into a strategic agreement to develop and manufacture worldclass aluminium rail wagons and coaches with an aim to help Indian Railways meet their emission goals. The partnership aims to build a worldclass manufacturing facility in India.
As per the agreement, the Aditya Birla Group company will provide profiles, sheets and plates of aluminium alloys, along with fabrication and welding expertise, while Texmaco will contribute in technical expertise and be responsible for design, setting up the factory, production line and providing skilled workers, a statement said.
Hindalco in 2022 launched an in-house aluminium freight rake, which was 180 tons lighter and offers 19% higher payload to tare weight ratio, resulting in less energy consumption with relatively negligible wear and tear.
“With launch of India’s first aluminium rake, we have demonstrated the benefits of higher payload and significant CO2 reduction that aluminium rakes offer. This partnership will further strengthen our role in enhancing the value proposition for the freight industry as well as for passenger mobility, while helping the Railways achieve its net zero objectives,” said Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries.
Under Indian Railways’ “Mission 3000 MT” the government is aiming to double freight capacity to 3,000 million tons by 2027 through augmentation of rolling stock, with the objective of achieving 45% market share in freight. India Railways is actively seeking to improve wagon design, and is inviting wagon manufacturers to contribute their own designs toenhance overall capacity and the life of railway assets.
“This partnership holds tremendous potential in supporting the Indian Railways in its pursuit of the introduction of efficient rolling stock with a lesser carbon footprint,” said Sudipta Mukherjee, Deputy Managing Director, Texmaco Rail & Engineering.