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Pune’s men of steel: How 2 brothers turned a sluggish steel supply chain around

Enlight harnessed Artificial Intelligence and other technologies and logistics to bring in the concept of 24-hour delivery.

3 min readPuneJan 21, 2026 10:39 AM IST

Dhananjay Goel (left) and Vedant Goel (right). (Express Photos)

The Navi Mumbai airport, which was inaugurated in October 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was still under construction when they needed a specialised grade metal part that was not available in the market. A call went out to a Pune-based company, Enlight Metals, which was disrupting the steel supply chain. “They gave us a timeline to deliver the material. This was a challenge but we were able to successfully procure the raw material from a mill and deliver it,” says Vedant Goel, Founder-Director of Enlight Metals.

In the Financial Year 2025-26, the company had delivered 75,000 tonne of metals at the end of the third quarter. By the end of this quarter, they are targetting 1.25 lakh tonne. There are more than 500 customers, including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Pune Metro and the airports in Pune, Udaipur, Ratnagiri and Navi Mumbai.

Order to chaos

Most people don’t think about steel, except when something goes wrong. When a metro line is delayed or a car launch pushed by months. The official cause given is “raw material unavailability” which, in many cases, means a problem with steel. But, the issue is not that there is a shortage of steel in India. The country produces enough steel. The shortcoming is, possibly, reliability. Steel arrives late or is the wrong specification or with unfair pricing.

At the origin of Enlight law Vedant’s deep disappointment with how inefficient the industry was. He had a long experience working in the steel sector. “If steel is delayed, there is a ripple effect. The labor cost rises, there is an interest cost and deadlines are missed,” he says. His brother, Dhananjay Goel, the tech brain of the family, would hear him out. It was a matter of time before the two decided to work on solving the issue. Dhananjay is also Founder-Director of the company.

In 2024, they set up Enlight Metals, a Swiggy or Zomato for manufacturers who are looking for products, such as Cold Rolled and Hot Rolled steel coils, Mild Steel Round Bars, pipes, beams, joists, plates and channels. At that time, it would take three to four days to get deliveries. Enlight harnessed Artificial Intelligence and other technologies and logistics to bring in the concept of 24-hour delivery.

Steely nerves

Not many people, initially, thought the idea would work. The steel trade is based on personal engagement and agreements and there was uncertainty about booking steel online. The brothers persisted in overcoming the scepticism – they would come to work at 9 am and stay there till 3 am – and it paid off.

“We have two dark stores currently – in the MIDC areas of Pune and Mumbai. And we are soon setting up 10 dark stores,” says Vedant. “Wherever we have a good pocket of industrial areas, we are going to set up dark stores so that the regular items can be delivered within 24 to our customers,” says Dhananjay. He adds that the current government is pushing Digital India a lot, which is giving them a boost.

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The visitor count to the platform, enquiries and orders are steadily increasing. In the next financial year, Enlight is targeting to triple its business. “From 500 manufacturers, we want to scale it up to 1,500. Our plans are to start going pan-India very soon ,” says Vedant.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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