Usha Martin has played a pivotal role in iconic infrastructure projects like the Chenab Bridge and Pamban Bridge, supplying specialized steel wire ropes engineered for extreme performance and durability. In an interaction with Wire & Cable India, Mr. Manish Prasad, Assistant Vice President (Wire & Wire Rope Business), Usha Martin Limited talked about their global footprint across 75+ countries, advanced manufacturing facilities in India and abroad and recent product innovations such as GALSTAR wires and OCEANFIBRE slings. The company is driving the shift towards high-value products and solutions that cater to diverse industries worldwide.
Wire & Cable India: Usha Martin played a key role in the construction of the Chenab Bridge — the world’s highest railway bridge in Jammu & Kashmir. Can you explain how your steel wire ropes were used in this iconic project?
Manish Prasad: We are proud to have played a vital role in the installation of the iconic Chenab Bridge in Kashmir—which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on 6th June 2025.
Usha Martin’s in-house designed and manufactured locked coil wire ropes were used in the cable cranes that lifted and positioned nearly every segment of this monumental structure. From project inception, our team closely worked with the authorities, consultants, and contractors to ensure every phase met the highest standards of engineering excellence. Even after completion, the cable crane wire ropes remain in place as a proactive measure for future maintenance and safety.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in our journey to support India’s growing infrastructure and contribute to shaping key national projects.
WCI: Usha Martin contributed to the recently inaugurated Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram — India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge. Can you elaborate on the role your wire ropes played in this historic project?
MP: We are honoured to play a pivotal role in the iconic Pamban Bridge, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. As the country’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, its smooth operation relies on Usha Martin’s 46 mm high-tech structural wire ropes – the true lifeline of this engineering marvel.
In this bridge, the entire deck is lifted to allow ships to pass and lowered back for trains to cross. This highly engineered and precision movement is powered by a rope-driven electromechanical system that uses four sets of Usha Martin’s specially designed wire ropes, each comprising six ropes, enabling the smooth and reliable lifting and lowering of the bridge deck.
From project inception, our team collaborated closely with implementers and design consultants to deliver cutting-edge wire rope solutions, ensuring unmatched engineering performance. Connecting Rameswaram Island to the mainland, this landmark sets a new benchmark in sea connectivity and infrastructure innovation.
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WCI: Could you provide us with a brief overview of your organisation — including your product portfolio, core capabilities and global operational footprint?
MP: Usha Martin Limited is a global leader in wire rope manufacturing, renowned for producing high-performance wire ropes, specialty wires, LRPC strands, pre-stressing accessories, rope-making machinery, and optical fibre cables. With over six decades of experience, we serve critical sectors including infrastructure, mining, oil & gas, ports, renewable energy, elevators, ropeways, fishing, automotive, telecommunications and general engineering.
Our manufacturing excellence is driven by advanced facilities in India, Thailand, UAE and the UK, supported by a Global Development Centre in Italy. We operate service centres in India, the Netherlands, Scotland, Singapore, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, along with distribution centres in the Americas, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia. These strategically located hubs provide localized support and ensure the smooth, timely delivery of solutions to clients across the globe.
Usha Martin’s commitment to quality is reflected in every stage of production, with rigorous testing protocols that adhere to the highest international standards. Operating in over 75 countries, we offer tailored, value-driven solutions backed by strong R&D and a global supply chain, ensuring we meet the evolving demands of the industries we serve while driving innovation and excellence worldwide.
WCI: How does the recent expansion of Usha Siam’s fine cord production line enhance Usha Martin Group’s ability to serve diverse industrial sectors globally?
MP: The expansion of the fine cord production line at Usha Siam, Thailand, marks a strategic move that significantly enhances our manufacturing capabilities. This upgrade enables us to produce a broader range of specialized wire products, including high-performance elevator ropes, window regulator and automotive cables, as well as precision marble cutting ropes.
This advancement positions us to meet the precise demands of key global industries, particularly automotive, construction and telecommunications, more effectively. It reflects our commitment to serving the evolving needs of our customers worldwide more effectively.
WCI: Could you share some of the recent developments and innovations underway at Usha Martin that reflect your focus on technology and product advancement?
MP: We have recently introduced two significant product developments. Let’s start with GALSTAR wires. Our new advanced facility in Ranchi produces high-quality GALSTAR wires with a Zinc-Aluminium alloy coating that offers superior corrosion resistance—outperforming conventional zinc coatings.
These wires are designed for demanding applications such as rockfall and avalanche barriers, slope stabilization, gabions, fencing, conductor core wires/strands, and automotive springs. Fully compliant with national and international standards, GALSTAR ensures top-tier quality, durability, and long-term reliability.
Another breakthrough has been— OCEANFIBRE, our high-performance round slings made from High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE).
Engineered for the most demanding offshore environments, OCEANFIBRE slings are ideal for heavy-duty subsea lifting and handling operations. Each sling is fully designed, manufactured, and proof-loaded in-house at Brunton Shaw UK, and tested under extreme conditions using our recently installed state-of-the-art 2000-ton capacity advanced test bench facility.
Apart from these, a hallmark of our advanced engineering capabilities is the HDPE-coated Stay Cable LRPC Strands, featuring a triple-layer protection system (galvanised, wax-filled with HDPE) —specially designed and engineered for making cables used in cable-stayed bridges, with a specified service life of 100 years.
WCI: Usha Martin has a strong global presence. Could you highlight your key domestic and export markets and the major industries that rely on your steel wire products?
MP: At Usha Martin, we cater to a global customer base with a strong domestic presence and an expanding footprint across North and South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Our high-performance steel wire products serve diverse industrial sectors including railways, infrastructure, oil and gas, fishing, agriculture, textiles etc. We supply both domestic and international markets for applications such as automotive springs, MIG welding, vibrating screens, door springs, mattress springs, geo-hazard control & fencing solutions, baling wires and flattening-quality wires.
With advanced manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technology, Usha Martin delivers high-precision, reliable wire solutions that ensure maximum safety, superior performance and alignment with the evolving needs of customers worldwide.
WCI: In your view, what are the key trends currently shaping the steel wire sector in India?
MP: India’s infrastructure boom is driving strong demand for high-performance, application-specific steel wires. The industry is moving steadily from commoditized products to value-added, advanced solutions. At Usha Martin, this transition is reflected in our latest innovation, GALSTAR wires, which set new benchmarks in performance, durability and reliability.
Customer expectations are also rising, with a sharper focus on safety and adherence to global standards. We are committed to delivering wire solutions that ensure the highest levels of safety, backed by rigorous testing and certification. Sustainability is another key driver. The industry is adopting eco-friendly practices to lower environmental impact. At Usha Martin, we are aligning with ESG principles through efficient and responsible operations.
Overall, India’s steel wire industry is on a growth path, supported by innovation, sustainability and global integration. Usha Martin remains committed to evolving in line with the changing needs of the industry.
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WCI: How do you see the Budget for FY 2025-26 impacting the steel wire industry and what opportunities do you think it offers for the sector? How is the Government supporting the growth of this sector?
MP: The Union Budget 2025–26 reinforces the government’s commitment to core sectors such as infrastructure, railways, ports and housing—all of which are key demand drivers for the steel wire industry. Increased capital expenditure in these areas is expected to positively impact the demand for high-performance steel wires and wire ropes.
The Budget’s focus on sustainable manufacturing, including incentives for green steel and encouragement of ESG compliance, is prompting the industry to innovate responsibly. Additionally, proposed import duty measures aim to protect domestic manufacturers and foster a more competitive landscape.
Support for R&D, MSMEs, and trade facilitation platforms like BharatTradeNet reflects a strategic push to integrate Indian manufacturing more deeply into global supply chains. Usha Martin sees these developments as a catalyst to align more closely with evolving industry needs and deliver globally competitive, future-ready products.
