Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), the state-owned steel maker based in Visakhapatnam, is planning to manufacture 55,000 forged wheels in the current fiscal year to meet the increasing demand from the Indian Railways. Atul Bhatt, the CMD of the company, confirmed the news and stated that the plant has already been issued preliminary acceptance certificates.
Forged Wheel Plant in Lalganj
The forged wheel plant is located in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalganj and has the capacity to produce one lakh forged wheels annually. RINL invested around Rs 2,350 crore to establish the plant, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and the highest level of sophistication and automation. It is one of the most modern plants in the world and the first of its kind in India.
Meeting the Railways’ Demand
RINL has already supplied 2,465 Loco wheels and 2,639 LHB wheels to the Railways in the current fiscal year. With the targeted 50% utilization of the plant, RINL can significantly reduce its dependence on imports.
Potential for Expansion
Bhatt stated that the plant has the potential to double its annual capacity to 200,000 wheels by incorporating additional facilities. The forged wheels produced at the plant can meet the requirement of high-speed trains that run at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour.
Conclusion
The forged wheel plant in Lalganj is a significant step towards reducing India’s reliance on imported wheels. With the increasing demand for high-speed trains, RINL’s expansion plans could lead to a more sustainable future for the Indian Railways. The state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated automation make the plant one of the most modern in the world, further enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities.
