Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited (SMEL) announced the expansion of its rail infrastructure at its integrated steel plant located in village Pandloi near Rengali, Sambalpur district, Odisha. This initiative supports the company's long-term goal of continuous expansion and achieving sustainable growth. Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited's integrated steel plant, which also includes a coal washery and power plant, has witnessed significant growth in recent years.

To meet the demands of this expanded capacity, the company has identified the need to improve its rail infrastructure for efficient handling of incoming raw materials and outgoing finished goods. Previously, the plant operated with two dedicated railway lines for managing raw material intake and finished goods dispatch. As part of the expansion plan, completed in 2023, SMEL has increased the number of lines to four.

This includes a lead line branching off from Rengali station, along with three branch lines and an engine escape line. This upgraded infrastructure, approved by the Indian Railway through a DPR in 2015, is now fully operational with overhead electrification completed and commissioned. This Expansion will facilitate plant to handle more than 110 Rakes in a month.

While the expansion to four lines will further improve operational efficiency, the current infrastructure can only manage around 60% of the increased volume of raw materials and finished goods. To bridge this gap and unlock the plant's full potential, SMEL plans to introduce a wagon tippler by 2028. The addition of a wagon tippler will considerably improve the speed and efficiency of rail operations at the plant.

This crucial equipment will allow for faster turnaround times for wagons, enabling SMEL to achieve a 100% increase in rail operations. This will ensure a smooth flow of raw materials and finished goods, further supporting the company's growth trajectory.