[ Nickel ]
[ Nickel ]
RAIL
60,000 current rail cars 7,000 rail cars in production 7,800 rail cars in 2024
29,000 tonnes of Type 304 nickel-containing stainless steel each year 3,600 tonnes of Type 316L for accessories
8,000 current stations 100 stations currently under redevelopment 1,275 stations identified for redevelopment
applications specify the use of Type 304 ( S30400 ) stainless steel . To date , metro stations completed or under construction , have required about 30,000 tonnes of stainless steel .
Mainline moves into high production Mainline trains are a critical sector of Indian rail , facilitating passenger and freight haulage between cities . This part of the network operates over 60,000 rail cars . Since 2018 , Indian Railways has exclusively employed stainless steel for all of its coach production , including mainline and fast trains . Components prone to corrosion , such as the roof , trough-floor , toilet inlay , bio-toilet digester , water storage tanks , and entrance gangways , are all manufactured using nickel-containing austenitic grades of stainless steel . The side and end panels utilise utility stainless steels that are painted based on coach category requirements . Indian Railways recently announced its annual coach production program , projecting an increase in stainless steel demand . This year , a total of 7,000 coaches are in production , with plans for 7,800 coaches next year . This will require over 29,000 tonnes of nickel-containing Type 304 stainless steel a year . An additional 3,600 tonnes of Type 316L ( S31603 ) stainless steel will be used for accessories in coaches , such as biodigester tanks . As new coach designs are developed and the government ’ s focus shifts towards reducing weight , temper-rolled nickel-containing austenitic stainless steels for side walls are being considered . This will expand their share in the market over the next two years .
Large scale redevelopment plans With around 8,000 mainline and other train stations in India , a comprehensive redevelopment plan was established to prioritise construction projects . Approximately 100 stations are undergoing redevelopment as selfsustaining commercial real estate ventures . Notably , major railway stations in Delhi , Ahmedabad , and Mumbai are undergoing redevelopment with a combined investment of over USD 1.25 billion . Extensive work is underway at five other prominent stations . In these large-scale government projects , nickel-containing stainless steels are the preferred choice for facades , railing systems , and various amenities due to their corrosion resistance , durability , ease of fabrication , and low or minimal maintenance requirements . Earlier this year , Indian Railways announced the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme , identifying a further 1,275 railway stations across the country for redevelopment . With a budgetary outlay of USD 30 billion for the next fiscal year , it is anticipated that nickelcontaining stainless steel will play a prominent role in these developments . This will ensure that India ’ s vital rail network continues to provide sustainable solutions to the challenges of urbanisation and industrialisation in the world ’ s most populous nation . As India ’ s rail infrastructure expands , incorporating nickelcontaining materials becomes increasingly crucial . It ensures the long-term sustainability and success of the rail network , supports the nation ’ s economic growth , and meets the demands of its burgeoning population .
About Nickel Institute
The Nickel Institute is the global association of leading primary nickel producers . Its mission is to advocate for the responsible supply and sustainable development of nickel and the nickel industry . For information , visit nickelinstitute . org