SAIL to start trial production of special rails soon

Steel maker SAIL announced its plans to initiate the trial production of head hardened (HH) rails, which are utilized in metro rail and freight corridor projects, by the end of the month, as stated by its Chairman, Amarendu Prakash. Prakash explained, in an interview with PTI, that the steel PSU had initially intended to commence the trial production of HH rails in August. However, this plan was postponed due to the Indian Railways' demand for normal rails like the 880 grade. "We possess the necessary technology. We had initially scheduled it (HH rail production), but then...they (Railways) asked us to delay the trials, and now it is scheduled for the end of October," remarked the Chairman. HH rails, which are specially designed for high-speed freight corridors and metro rail projects, are crafted using head hardening technology. This technology enables these rails to withstand approximately 50 percent higher pressure compared to regular rails. SAIL has established facilities for HH rail production at the new Universal Rail Mill (URM) in its Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Chhattisgarh. The cold trials for the same have already been completed. Notably, SAIL will be the second player in India to undertake the production of HH rails, with Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) currently producing HH rails at its plant located in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh.