Concrete Sleepers on Indian Railways

Concrete Sleepers on Indian Railways

Indian Railways is modernizing its track in a big way to meet the challenges of heavier traffic at faster speeds. The modern track consisting of long welded 52-kg/ 60-kg rails, concrete sleepers, and elastic fastenings can meet the above requirements.

Prestressed concrete sleepers are most economical and technically best suited for high speeds and heavy traffic density. They provide a stable track structure, which requires less maintenance efforts. Maintenance of concrete sleepers track should, however, be done using track machines only.

It has been proposed that concrete sleepers should be provided on all important routes of Indian Railways. Adequate capacity has been developed for the production of these sleepers to meet all the requirements of IR. During 2003-04, 8.86 million concrete line sleepers (highest ever production) and 3426 sets of concrete turnout sleepers were produced. The intake of wooden sleepers for main lines has been completely stopped and emphasis is being laid on using concrete sleepers on turnouts.

Indian Railways is the world leader in the manufacture of concrete sleepers and is presently manufacturing about 60% of the total concrete sleepers in the world. These concrete sleepers have a very bright future on Indian Railways.