On February 2, 2026, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna CPSE, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), a Navratna CPSE. The MoU aims to strengthen logistics and operational efficiency at SAIL's plants and mines, focusing on diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance. SAIL operates a mini rail network for transporting materials, and RITES will provide expertise in diesel locomotive operations and maintenance. The collaboration aims to optimize costs, enhance operational efficiencies, and reduce carbon footprint. The MoU was signed by Shri P.K. Baisakhiya, Executive Director (Operations), SAIL, and Shri Sandeep Jain, Executive Director (Technical Services), RITES. The release ID is 2222175 and the visitor counter is at 242.
Key Entities Referenced
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): An agreement signed between SAIL and RITES for diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance.
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL): A Maharatna CPSE that signed an MoU with RITES to improve operational efficiency and logistics at SAIL plants and mines.
Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES): A Navratna CPSE that signed an MoU with SAIL to provide expertise in diesel locomotive operations and maintenance.
Ministry of Steel: The ministry overseeing the MoU between SAIL and RITES.
Ministry of Steel
SAIL and RITES Sign MoU for diesel locomotive
leasing and maintenance
Posted On: 02 FEB 2026 4:44PM by PIB Delhi
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna CPSE has signed Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) , a Navratna CPSE to strengthen
logistics and operational efficiency at plants and mines of SAIL.
SAIL runs a dedicated mini rail network within its plants and mines premises to ensure seamless
transportation of inbound raw materials, in-process transfers and outbound finished products. The
effective maintenance of its diesel locomotive fleet, supplemented by wet leased locos, is critical for
sustaining operations and driving the envisaged expansion of capacity and future growth.
As Indian Railways accelerates its transition to electric locomotives, RITES continues to provide valuable
expertise in diesel locomotive operations and maintenance, an area essential for sustaining SAIL’s diesel
fleet. With access to Indian Railways’ facilities, spares and a pool of skilled manpower, RITES is well
positioned to support SAIL’s operational requirements and ensure reliability across its network.
The collaboration will enable both organizations to focus on their core competencies, optimize costs,
enhance operational efficiencies and contribute to reducing carbon footprint. The MoU was signed by Shri
P.K. Baisakhiya, Executive Director (Operations), SAIL and Shri Sandeep Jain, Executive Director
(Technical Services), RITES, in the presence of senior officials from SAIL and RITES.
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AG
(Release ID: 2222175) Visitor Counter : 242
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