Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) plans to more than double its rail production capacity to 2.2 million tonnes by establishing a rail mill in Angul, Odisha, with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes. (MTPA). The steel company owns and operates a 1 MTPA rail mill in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, where it produces speciality rails such as 1175 HT, R350 HT, asymmetric rails, and 1080 HH (head hardened) rails for railways, metro projects, and high-speed freight corridors.

"JSPL plans to build a new 1.2 MTPA rail mill in Angul." The total rail-making capacity will more than double to 2.2 MTPA following the commissioning of the new mill, according to a company statement issued on Thursday.

The company did not reveal investment figures, but sources said it would be in the range of Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore.

From its Raigarh mill, the company also supplies 260-meter rails to Indian Railways, dedicated freight corridors, and other critical national projects.

These rails are an import substitution product that is required for heavy axle loads exceeding 25 metric tonnes. Such long rails with few welds are essential for improving track safety and comfort, according to the company.

"Our company is proactively augmenting rail manufacturing capacity to support the ongoing expansion and modernization of the Indian rail network. We are committed to support the government's initiatives like Gati Shakti Yojna, AtmaNirbhar Bharat by making available domestically produced products at competitive prices against imported items," JSPL Managing Director Bimlendra Jha.

After meeting domestic needs, the company will look into international markets to supply Made in India rails, he said.

JSPL also exports rails to a number of countries around the world. It has supplied European railways with speciality rail blooms.