Oriental Rail Infrastructure Limited (ORIL), through its wholly owned subsidiary Oriental Foundry Private Limited (OFPL), has entered into a Technology Development Agreement with the All-Union Research and Development Centre for Transportation Technology (VNICTT), the design and engineering centre of Russia-based United Wagon Company (UWC).

Under the agreement, VNICTT will undertake the design and development of a 25-tonne axle-load bogie and a solid-bottom gondola car. The scope will include engineering design, preparation of technical documentation and technical support during testing.

The initiative builds on ORIL’s existing capabilities in wagons, bogies and railway components, while allowing the company to leverage VNICTT’s specialised expertise in freight wagon and bogie design. The collaboration is expected to further strengthen ORIL’s technology-driven product development and advanced rolling stock capabilities.

The 25-tonne axle-load capability is expected to enable higher payload per wagon, while the new designs could support improved operating efficiency and lower lifecycle maintenance requirements. The development of a solid-bottom gondola car will also broaden the company’s product portfolio to cater to evolving freight transportation requirements.

Commenting on the development, Saleh N. Mithiborwala, Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Oriental Rail Infrastructure Limited, said the Indian railway sector is undergoing continued modernisation of freight rolling stock, with increasing emphasis on higher carrying capacity and specialised wagon designs.

He added that the collaboration with VNICTT will provide access to specialised international expertise in freight wagon and bogie design and support the development of advanced products for the Indian market. With the Railway Board encouraging greater industry participation and innovation in wagon design, the company believes the partnership will strengthen its product capabilities, expand its presence in the freight railway segment and create long-term value for stakeholders.