The usage of stainless steel in the railways has particularly increased owing to its versatile properties such as corrosion resistant, high strength to weight ratio, crash & fire resistant, lightweight, lower life cycle cost, least carbon footprint, and durability. Indian Railways has specified usage of high strength stainless steel for development of high speed trains (250 kmph) and Vande Bharat trainsets, says Tarun Kumar Khulbe, CEO, Jindal Stainless.

Jindal Stainless has been a vital partner of Indian Railways since the 1990s, consistently contributing to the development of rolling stock and railway infrastructure. We are fully aligned with the government’s vision of transforming India’s railway network into one of the safest and most sustainable in the world. This year, the Union Budget has earmarked a record capital expenditure of approximately Rs 2.6 trillion for railways, and we are upbeat about the sector's growth prospects.

Stainless steel, recognised for its recyclability and safety, aligns seamlessly with the government’s commitment of creating a sustainable railway network. We take pride in our ability to develop cost-effective, customised stainless steel solutions that meet international standards. In the coming years, we anticipate a significant increase in the use of stainless steel across freight wagons, coaches, and rail infrastructure. 

Our efforts also support the Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative, as we leverage cutting-edge research and development to deliver world-class stainless steel products. Given the government’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint, stainless steel will play a pivotal role in achieving these sustainability goals. We are committed to partnering with the government to realise this vision, contributing to a greener and more efficient railway system for the nation.

Definitely, the usage of stainless steel has diversified, not just in the railways sector but in other sectors as well. To give you an example, majority of stainless steel in the 90s was only used in the kitchenware segment. This has drastically changed. Now, stainless steel finds its applications in the automobile, railways, transport (ART); architecture, building, construction (ABC); processing industry and consumer durables. 

The usage of stainless steel in the railways has particularly increased owing to its versatile properties such as corrosion resistant, high strength to weight ratio, crash & fire resistant, lightweight, lower life cycle cost, least carbon footprint, and durability. Indian Railways has specified usage of high strength stainless steel for development of high speed trains (250 kmph) and Vande Bharat trainsets. All freight wagons used today, for transportation of coal and ore, are made out of stainless steel. All passenger trains, including metro cars are constructed with stainless steel. Apart from coaches and wagons, stainless steel is also being used in making footover bridges at railway stations now. India inaugurated its first stainless steel footover bridge at Naupada railway station in Andhra Pradesh in 2022 followed by Srikakulam railway station. Redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme and the Railway Station Redevelopment program have many modern amenities being designed in stainless steel. This has ushered in an era of sustainable infrastructure in the railways segment. As the usage of stainless steel is expected to reach 20 million tonnes by 2047 from 4.5 million tonnes in FY24, railways sector will play a crucial role in its demand. 

As I mentioned, stainless steel is a versatile and sustainable material, making it an ideal choice as the government aims to reduce carbon emissions and enhance railway safety. Indian Railways significantly drives the domestic demand for stainless steel, particularly for railway wagons, coaches, infrastructure like foot-over-bridges, station modernisation, and dedicated freight corridors. Additionally, metro projects across India increasingly utilise stainless steel for various applications. Upcoming initiatives, including the Logistics Policy, National Rail Plan, PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, and multimodal connectivity projects, are expected to further enhance rail freight in the country.

To mention some recent prestigious projects, we supplied stainless steel for Vande Bharat sleeper coaches, Vande Metro, Kolkata’s underwater metro, India’s inaugural Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and the Mumbai & Bangalore metro projects.

      

Jindal Stainless has been partnering with Indian Railways for development of light-weight and long-lasting rolling stock. Towards this endeavour, we have supplied tempered 201LN grade of high-strength austenitic stainless steel for the Vande Metro project, a shorter-distance version of the Vande Bharat Express. By using this grade, we’ve reduced the thickness of the external panels of coaches from 3 mm to 2 mm. This change has resulted in lighter, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective trains. 201LN grade of stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant, offers greater strength and durability, and has improved crash resistance, ensuring top-notch safety for passengers. 

Another potential area for light-weighting and addressing corrosion related issues is the bogie-frame of coaches. Under the present conditions, these carbon steel made bogie frames undergo heavy corrosion necessitating replacement after every 8-9 years interval. Utilisation of high strength stainless steel could open up the possibility of having a light-weight & durable structure lasting the entire codal life of the coach. We take immense pride in partnering with Indian Railways and shall continue to innovate and offer the best-in-class stainless steel solutions to them in the future as well.