The interview highlights stainless steel’s role in enhancing metro durability, challenges in modernizing rail infrastructure, and the immense growth potential in India’s rail sector.
What role does stainless steel play in metro coaches, and how is it improving India’s metro infrastructure?
Stainless steel primarily prevents rust and eliminates the need for painting, which has a limited lifespan. With mild steel, rusting is inevitable, and paint doesn’t provide long-term protection, especially in high-temperature environments like India. Stainless steel also has a higher lifecycle cost efficiency compared to mild steel, which requires frequent maintenance. Using stainless steel ensures durability and reduces recurring costs, making it the preferred material for metro coaches.
What challenges are you facing in adopting modern technology, particularly with stainless steel?
The primary challenge is the mindset of decision-makers who are hesitant to adopt modern technologies. Many officials avoid risks, fearing blame if something goes wrong. This cautious approach slows down the adoption of proven technologies already successful in other countries. For instance, fastening systems for rails are outdated, limiting train speeds to 110 kmph despite the potential for higher speeds. While trains like Vande Bharat are designed for speeds of 180 kmph, they are currently operated at much lower speeds due to infrastructure limitations. Convincing authorities to upgrade tracks and adopt modern fastening systems is a key challenge we face.
Are there any technological advancements in stainless steel that have benefited railways?
The government is now focused on upgrading track infrastructure, including turnouts and fastening systems, with some of the best technologies available globally. Officials are traveling internationally to observe these advancements firsthand, which is encouraging. Once implemented, these upgrades will allow Indian trains to operate at higher speeds, such as 180 kmph or even 250 kmph in the future. While achieving 250 kmph may require transitioning from steel car bodies to aluminium, this progression is achievable and represents the future of Indian railways.
How do you foresee the growth of your industry?
The rail sector has immense potential for growth. For example, the requirement for sleepers over the next 10 years is projected to be 120 million, or approximately 12 million sleepers annually. Currently, the combined production capacity of all competitors meets only 40% of this demand. This gap presents a huge opportunity for businesses to expand capacities or form joint ventures to cater to this increasing demand.
