RDSO-approved stainless steel grade for coastal railway infrastructure
 DRM Shri Anup Satpathy opened it for public usage.
 Jindal Steel Company constructed the most cost-effective FOB

In its commitment to a more comfortable journey of passengers, the Waltair Division of East Coast Railway provided Foot Over Bridge at Naupada Railway station. It is India’s first-ever stainless steel foot-over-bridge (FOB) opened for public usage today at Naupada railway station, Andhra Pradesh. This work has been assigned to Jindal Steel Company, which fabricated the most cost-effective and superior quality stainless steel for structural applications – Jindal Durasafe.  
 

This state-of-the-art FOB was opened for public usage by Divisional Railway Manager, Waltair Division Shri Anup  Satpathy along with Divisional Officers and Jindal Stainless’ senior management including Director, Shri Tarun Khulbe and Sales Head, Shri Rajeev Garg. This is for the first time in Indian Railways that Stainless Steel Girder is used for a FOB.

The Codal Life of this stainless-steel FOB is 125 years as per RDSO. Being in the coastal area, this Stainless Steel Structure will be corrosion-free and life will be much more than that of any normal mild steel FOB. 
 
Lauding this achievement, DRM Shri Anup Satpathy said, “India’s coastal railway infrastructure has, for long, been marred by corrosion. We congratulate Jindal Stainless for developing an optimum stainless steel grade to rising to the challenge.

RDSO’s approval of the grade strengthens our confidence in this choice. We look forward to strengthening India’s railway infrastructure with sustainable choices going forward as well.”  
 
On this milestone, Managing Director, Jindal Stainless, Mr. Abhyuday Jindal said, “This foot-over-bridge usher in an era of sustainable infrastructure in stainless steel, and Jindal Stainless is proud to collaborate with Railways for this momentous challenge. We are committed to providing tailor-made, corrosion-free, and eco-friendly solutions for the Indian climatic conditions, and bolster the Atmanirbhar spirit of the Indian stainless steel industry. I congratulate the government and Indian Railways for their visionary decision-making.”
 

DRM Shri Anup Satpathy interacting with media said that focusing on more amenities the FOB has been constructed to connect all platforms. When the media asked about the high-level platform at Harishchandrapuram,  he said the works are at a fast phase and will be completed within 25days. He interacted with the Auto association, school children,  representatives from various associations and took representations. He listened carefully to their issues, grievances and assured to look into the issues. 
 

In 2019, Indian Railways invited proposals for renewing FOBs in coastal areas, which were marred by a corrosion-prone environment, rising pollution levels, and negligible maintenance, across all railway divisions. Jindal Stainless developed the most cost-effective and high-quality stainless steel for structural applications – Jindal Durasafe, especially for coastal areas. 

The grade, IRS 350 CR, has 10-12% chromium, a key ingredient in fighting corrosion, and has been designed for zero maintenance, ~100 years’ service life, and lower life cycle cost and carbon footprint. It comes in offerings like plates, girders, and channels.

The Company collaborated with RDSO (Research Designs & Standards Organization) and IIT Roorkee for testing, approval and endorsement of the grade, which eventually led to its formalisation for coastal railway infrastructural applications.