Hilton Metal Forging Ltd. became the first private MSME approved by RITES Ltd. for the development of forged wheels for Vande Bharat and LHB coaches. This milestone aligns with Indian Railways’ modernization drive under the “Make-in-India” initiative, focusing on indigenous manufacturing for next-gen high-speed and safe passenger coaches.
Introduction:
In a landmark achievement for India’s private manufacturing sector, Hilton Metal Forging Ltd. has received approval from RITES Ltd., the premier quality assurance agency under Indian Railways, for the feasibility and production capability of forged wheels used in Vande Bharat and LHB coaches.
This recognition makes Hilton Metal Forging the first private MSME to be entrusted with such a critical responsibility under the Make-in-India initiative, reinforcing India’s growing self-reliance in the railway rolling stock segment.
Key Technical Highlights:
Wheel Types and Sizes-
- Vande Bharat wheels: 952 mm in diameter
- LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coach wheels: 915 mm in diameter
Speed Capability:
Vande Bharat wheels are designed to operate safely at speeds up to 140 km/h
Expanding Vande Bharat & LHB Footprint:
Indian Railways is rapidly scaling up its fleet of modern rolling stock. According to the Union Railway Minister’s recent reply in the Rajya Sabha, 136 Vande Bharat trains (primarily chair car services) are currently operational across the country.
The LHB platform, known for its enhanced safety and ride comfort, is gradually replacing the older ICF coaches. So far, 41,000 LHB coaches have been manufactured, with plans to fully transition all passenger trains to LHB coaches by 2029.
Vision for Modernization:
The government has laid out ambitious plans to reshape the future of rail mobility in India-
Coach Conversion and Manufacturing Plans–
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the conversion of 40,000 existing coaches to Vande Bharat standards
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has proposed procurement of 17,500 new coaches, including-
- 100 Amrit Bharat low-cost overnight trains
- 50 Namo Bharat EMUs for regional rapid transit
- 200 Vande Bharat inter-city trainsets (sleeper and chair car variants)
Budget Push– The Indian Railways has been allocated Rs. 2.65 lakh crore for FY2025-26 to fund these massive upgrades.
Operational Footprint– Indian Railways runs over 8,000 passenger trains daily, with a massive inventory of 318,196 freight wagons and 84,863 passenger coaches, making modernization imperative for safer, faster, and more comfortable travel.
Conclusion:
The approval of Hilton Metal Forging Ltd. by RITES Ltd. marks a crucial step in localizing high-speed wheel manufacturing for India’s modern trains. It reinforces the government’s vision of transforming Indian Railways into a world-class network through indigenous innovation, robust manufacturing, and strong public-private collaboration under the Make-in-India banner.
Source: Hilton Metal Forging – Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
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