NEW DELHI, OCT 23
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has introduced Bogie Open Bottom Rapid discharge railway wagons with pneumatic door opening actuators (BOBRN) into its logistics system for coal transportation at its smelters at Jharsuguda in Odisha, and Korba in Chhattisgarh. This initiative aligns with the General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) launched by Indian Railways and aims to enhance operational efficiency while advancing sustainability goals.
BOBRN railway wagons are specifically designed to transport bulk quantities of coal between thermal power plants and ports. Their unique feature allows for bottom unloading directly into hopper pits, resulting in a swift unloading process and reduced turnaround times for material delivery.
Vedanta Aluminium operates the world’s largest aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and India’s iconic smelter, BALCO, in Korba — both requiring a continuous and reliable power supply. The introduction of the BOBRN rakes will improve the procurement of linkage coal, ensuring a steady supply for operations. By leveraging rail transportation, the company aims to reduce overall production costs and optimize supply chains while significantly decreasing its carbon footprint, as rail transport has a lower per-ton CO2 emission rate compared to trucks.
Currently, Vedanta Aluminium operates four BOBRN captive coal rakes and plans to expand its logistics capacity by adding four more. This expansion will enhance operational efficiencies and support the company’s commitment to sustainable practices.
Commenting on the initiative, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “The induction of the BOBRN rake is a significant milestone for our operations. It will improve our rail coefficient, reduce turnaround times, and ensure more reliable coal transportation, all while significantly cutting costs and emissions. We are proud to contribute to the national effort to boost sustainability and energy efficiency, further reinforcing our focus on operational excellence.”
Emphasizing the significance of this initiative, BALCO CEO and Director Rajesh Kumar said, “This step reinforces our commitment to enhancing operational efficiency while aligning with our sustainability goals. The inclusion of BOBRN rakes has been instrumental in establishing a more robust supply chain as we progress toward our goal of becoming net-zero by 2050.”
Vedanta Aluminium is committed to a two-pronged approach for reducing and offsetting its carbon footprint. This includes increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix, optimizing resource utilization to minimize waste, and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources such as biofuels.
