Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has introduced BOBRN (Bogie Open Bottom Rapid Discharge Railway) wagons, equipped with pneumatic door openers, in its coal transport logistics at its plants in Jharsuguda, Odisha and Korba, Chhattisgarh. The initiative, part of Indian Railways’ General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS), is aimed at improving efficiency and promoting sustainability in logistics.

The BOBRN wagons are specially designed to transport large quantities of coal to locations such as thermal power plants and ports. Their unique bottom discharge mechanism allows for rapid discharge directly into hopper pits, significantly reducing throughput times.

Improving supply chain efficiency and reducing carbon footprint. Vedanta Aluminium, which operates the world’s largest aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and the famous BALCO smelter in Korba, depends on a continuous power supply for its operations. The new BOBRN rakes ensure stable and efficient coal supply, optimise supply chains and reduce production costs. Importantly, by switching from road to rail transport, the company can significantly reduce its carbon footprint due to the lower CO2 emissions associated with rail travel.

Currently, Vedanta Aluminium operates four BOBRN coal rakes and plans to expand this fleet with four more rakes. This expansion is expected to further improve operational efficiency and support the company’s sustainability efforts. Perspectives on sustainability and operational excellence Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer at Vedanta Aluminium, said: “The introduction of the BOBRN rakes is a significant milestone in our operations. It will improve our rail coefficient, reduce lead times and help ensure more reliable coal transportation, while significantly reducing costs and emissions. We are proud to contribute to the broader national effort to drive sustainability and energy efficiency, further strengthening our focus on operational excellence.”

Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Managing Director, BALCO, emphasized, “This move reinforces our commitment to improving operational efficiency while remaining aligned with our sustainability goals. The addition of BOBRN rakes has been instrumental in building a more robust supply chain and achieving the goal of becoming net zero by 2050.” Vedanta Aluminium’s strategy to reduce and offset its carbon footprint includes increasing the use of renewable energy, optimizing resource utilization and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources such as biofuels. Its smelters are certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s performance standards, indicating globally recognized sustainable operations.

As a business unit of Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium produced 2.37 million tonnes of aluminium in FY24, which represents more than half of India’s total production. The company is a leader in value-added aluminium products used in essential industries. According to the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023, Vedanta Aluminium ranks first globally in the aluminium industry, underscoring its commitment to sustainable development. Through its advanced smelters, aluminium refinery and power plants, Vedanta Aluminium aims to drive the future of aluminium as a key material for a greener future.