Titagarh Rail Systems Enters Forged Wheel Production JV

Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) has strategically ventured into forged wheel manufacturing through a joint venture with Ramkrishna Forgings, addressing India’s ongoing wheelset supply crisis that hampers rail production. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The collaboration supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, emphasizing domestic manufacturing and reducing dependency on imported components. Despite operational challenges, TRSL’s Freight Rolling Stock division reported a 5.6% revenue increase for FY25, reaching ₹3,610 crore ($434 million).

Titagarh Rail Systems Tackles Supply Constraints

TRSL’s production rate of 950 to 1,000 wagons per month faced severe constraints due to limited availability of wheelsets from Rail Wheel Factory, Bangalore, India’s mandated supplier. These supply disruptions significantly impacted key projects, including the Vande Bharat express and metro services nationwide.

Don’t miss…Bengaluru Launches 271-Kilometre Rail Network to Ease Traffic

Vice Chairman Umesh Chowdhary described this new venture as a pivotal strategic step. “Titagarh Rail Systems views forged wheel manufacturing as both a national imperative and significant business opportunity,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need to eliminate reliance on imports.

Historically, India imported forged wheels from China, Russia, and Ukraine. However, geopolitical tensions, particularly the war in Ukraine, coupled with logistical challenges, severely disrupted these international supplies, intensifying the urgency for domestic solutions.

Titagarh Rail Systems Aims for Global Market

The new forged wheel facility will commence operations next fiscal year, initially serving Indian Railways, metro corporations, and TRSL’s internal requirements. Eventually, the company aims to export wheels globally, positioning itself as a competitive international supplier.

TRSL currently holds an order book valued at ₹24,526 crore ($2.95 billion), securing over three years of revenue visibility. This backward integration enhances cost control, product quality, and delivery timelines.

Industry estimates suggest India’s annual railway wheel requirement exceeds two million units, far outpacing current domestic production. Thus, Titagarh Rail Systems’ initiative not only fills a critical supply gap but also complements their expansion into electric propulsion technology with ABB and successful project completions like Pune Metro.

Source, photo: manufacturing.economictimes.indiatimes.com

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: