Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is set to embark on a significant milestone as it gears up for the trial production of head hardened (HH) rails, a crucial component for high-speed freight corridors and metro rail projects. Chairman Amarendu Prakash recently disclosed the company’s plans to commence trial production by the end of October. This development comes after a brief delay, primarily driven by the strong demand for regular rails like the 880-grade from the Indian Railways.
HH rails, the hallmark of advanced railway infrastructure, are engineered to withstand approximately 50 percent higher pressure compared to conventional rails. Their utility lies in high-speed freight corridors and metro rail systems. SAIL’s push into HH rail production signifies a promising endeavor to contribute to India’s evolving transportation landscape.
Initially, SAIL had anticipated initiating the trial production of HH rails in August, but the timeline was revised to accommodate the Indian Railways’ request to defer trials. Chairman Amarendu Prakash elucidated, “We have the technology. We had planned for it (HH rail production) but then…they (Railways) requested us to defer the trials and now it is at the end of October.”
The advanced facilities for HH rail production have been established at the new Universal Rail Mill (URM) within SAIL’s Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Chhattisgarh. The company has already successfully completed cold trials, marking a significant step toward production readiness.
SAIL’s entry into HH rail production positions it as the second player in India to undertake this venture, with Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) being the pioneering producer. JSPL has been manufacturing HH rails at its facility in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, demonstrating the technological prowess in this domain.
SAIL’s contribution to the railway sector extends beyond rails. The company also manufactures forged wheels for the Indian Railways, with production taking place at the Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) located in West Bengal. These rails and wheels are vital components that contribute to the efficient operation of India’s extensive railway network.
Amidst the discussions of SAIL’s foray into HH rail production, Chairman Prakash also highlighted the company’s commitment to sourcing coking coal from multiple global suppliers. He stated, “We source coking coal from various sources, including Australia, the US, Russia, and Indonesia. We also have a joint venture company in Mozambique.”
In the April-September period of FY24, SAIL procured approximately eight shipments of coking coal, each amounting to 75,000 tonnes, from Russian sources. Furthermore, SAIL has ambitious plans to boost coking coal supplies by doubling the production capacity of the International Coal Ventures Limited (ICVL) based in Mozambique, increasing it from 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 4 MTPA. A detailed project report is currently in the works to realize this expansion plan.
SAIL’s pursuit of HH rail production and its continued commitment to sourcing critical raw materials like coking coal underscore the company’s dedication to supporting India’s infrastructure growth and strengthening its position as a key player in the nation’s evolving transportation and industrial landscape. As the trial production commences at the end of this month, the company is poised to take a significant step forward in contributing to India’s modern railway infrastructure.
