A major order has been placed in India for stainless steel railway tracks. A long-term plan is being set forth to replace all its existing lines with the rust-free stainless steel ones, thereby saving crores of rupees which may otherwise go into replacing the tracks in regular intervals. In the first phase, India Railways has decided to replace 500km of its track with stainless steel and an order for the same has been given to leading manufacturers, said Hitendra Bhalaria, co-chairman, Indian Stainless Development Organisation, the umbrella oganisation that spearheads the campaign for increased use of stainless steel in India. India Railways has also placed an order for 1500 stainless steel wagons and coaches besides steel peripherals, which can be extensively used inside the compartments. Talks are also under way with major manufacturers to place orders for stainless steel fixtures at the railway stations.
