RK Rao, member (mechanical), Railway Board, said: "We have placed order for supply of 300 aluminium wagons on an experimental basis with two private wagon manufacturers. If the trial runs succeed, the railways will shift to aluminium wagons as these offer various advantages over steel and stainless steel wagons that are in use." |
Experts say aluminium wagons are much costlier than steel wagons. According to estimates, a stainless steel wagon costs nearly Rs 18 lakh, whereas an aluminium wagon costs around Rs 25 lakh. However, aluminium wagons can carry 7-8 per cent more load. Aluminium wagons have a load-carrying capacity of 70 tonnes, compared with around 65 tonnes that a stainless steel wagon can carry.
This would help revenues in the long term, said ministry officials.
With the railways deciding to shift to aluminium wagons, private wagon manufacturers are ramping up their operations. Recently, Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons Ltd received nod from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for setting up a joint venture with Chicago-based Freight Car America to test-market and manufacture aluminium rail cars at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore.
A senior executive at Titagarh Wagons said the company was developing the prototype of aluminium wagons that would have to be cleared by the Research Design and Service Organisation (RDSO).
