Hindalco Industries on Sunday launched India’s first all-aluminium freight rail rakes. It is expected to help fast-track the country’s ambitious plan to modernise freight transportation and enable large carbon savings for Indian Railways.

The rakes are 180 tonnes lighter than existing steel rakes, and they can carry 5-10 per cent more payload, and consume less energy with relatively negligible wear and tear to rolling stock and rails.

Flagging off the new 61- wagon rake from Bhubaneswar station, which will carry coal for Hindalco’s Aditya Smelter at Lapanga, Odisha, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister of railways said: “This is a proud moment for the country and our drive for indigenisation as these lightweight aluminium wagons are a big innovation for Indian Railways.”

He added that the wagons save 14,500 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions, have more carrying capacity, consume less energy, and are corrosion-resistant. Further, they are 100 per cent recyclable and they will enable the country to achieve its climate goals.

The bottom discharge aluminium freight wagon, designed to carry coal, is tipped to reduce carbon footprint. For every 100 kg weight reduction of the wagon, the lifetime CO2 saving is 8-10 tonnes.