Mishra Dhatu Nigam all set to supply special alloy steel, aluminium to railways, metro projects

Hyderabad, India (Metro Rail Today): Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), the Defence Ministry public sector metallurgy unit, after having supplied the special steel for the Indian Railways’ iconic ‘Vande Bharat’ trains is ready to supply special steel alloy and aluminium metal sheets, rings and others material for the construction of new generation railways and metro rail coaches for various projects.

“Our products have been developed indigenously. They are light weight, have high-tensile strength and are corrosive-resistant, therefore, they are the right fit for the requirements of the Indian Railways and metro rail projects being built across the country,” said S.K. Jha, Chairman and Managing Director, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd.

MIDHANI has recently supplied about 400 axles for the modern trains which were earlier being imported from China and is now bidding for the bigger numbers to the tune of about 18,000 axles for the tender floated by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) of Indian Railways in Chennai.

“Our metal is being used to build fighter jets, helicopters, missiles and submarines. Hence, our credentials and capabilities are proven as well as trusted. We are ready to supply higher grade of steel for the railways which will be more durable and give a better finish. We are working with the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for better data to improve our collaboration,” he said.

Dr. Jha said that the Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) had signed an agreement to source the entire train set to be manufactured from the special alloy metal to be supplied by MIDHANI. “There is no need to source material for making metro rail coaches from abroad for projects here. We are capable of supplying the required metal for any metro rail firm in the country with necessary regulatory approvals and certifications,” he asserted.

While Midhani’s certifications come from strategic aero-space, nuclear and defence sectors, different sets of approvals are needed for railways as the public sector unit has to join the bid process like any other firm.