Hindalco created the country’s first all-aluminum freight train rakes, which were introduced by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw. The aluminium rakes were created with the intention of modernising freight transportation and enabling significant carbon savings for Indian Railways.
According to an official statement from Hindalco, the rakes are 180 tonnes lighter than existing steel rakes, can carry 5 to 10% more payload, use less energy, and sustain relatively little wear and tear on rolling stock and rails. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off 61-wagon rake from Bhubaneswar station. These wagons will carry coal for Hindalco’s Aditya Smelter in Lapanga, Odisha. “These wagons save 14,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions, have more carrying capacity, consume less energy and are corrosion-resistant. They are 100% recyclable and even after 30 years, they will be as good as new. These aluminium wagons will enable us to achieve our climate goals,” Vaishnaw said.