Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu, on Saturday, inaugurated the first special freight train operation (SFTO) carrying steel coils. The rake was manufactured by Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL) at its Uttarpara unit in West Bengal.
In order to increase rail share of the non-traditional commodities like molasses, fly ash, edible oil, caustic soda, chemical, petrochemicals, alumina & bulk cement, the SFTO scheme was launched. The scheme has been amended in subsequently amended.
The new design rake – called BFNSM1 – has 43 wagons. Each wagon has an axle load of 22.9 ton and can carry 2750 tonnes of steel coils or other finished products.
According to a release issued by TWL, BFNSM1 is a special purpose flat wagon for transporting steel coils. Each wagon can carry up to 5 steel coils with a carrying capacity of 64 tonnes per wagon. The flexibility of SFTO licence also enables the rake to carry steel sheets and other finished steel products on the return trip from the original destination.
“The policy initiative of Indian Railways under SFTO scheme for promoting much needed private investment in rolling stock is a welcome step. The launch of BFNSM1 is another important milestone in Titagarh’s history as these rakes not only improves cost efficiency; but are also environment friendly,” Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman and MD, TWL, said.