Alstom Delivers 500th Electric Locomotive To India

Alstom, a world leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has crossed a milestone in its collaboration with Indian Railways as it delivered the 500th fully Indian-produced Prima T8 WAG12B electric locomotive. This is a big leap towards the modernization of Indian rail infrastructure and aligns with India's ambitious freight transportation aspirations.

The locomotive was formally flagged off from Alstom's world-class production unit in Madhepura, Bihar, with the presence of top dignitaries such as Manish Kumar, Indian Railways Chief Administrative Officer, and senior representatives from Alstom. This delivery is being made under a €3.5 billion contract wherein Alstom is providing 800 double-section Prima T8 locomotives of 12,000 HP (9 MW) to be used in freight service. These locomotives, which Indian Railways has classified as WAG-12B, are capable of pulling around 6,000-tonne rakes at 120 km/h top speed.

To provide high availability and lower maintenance expenses, Alstom has also established two ultra-state-of-the-art maintenance sheds at Saharanpur and Nagpur, both fitted with predictive technologies. The sheds will be pivotal in keeping India's most advanced freight locomotives in top working order.

Speaking on this achievement, Olivier Loison, Managing Director of Alstom India, stated the company's focus on aiding the change towards India's railway sector. "Our WAG 12B electric locomotives, driven by the latest technology, are completely made in India and deliver improved speed, efficiency, and reliability of freight haulage in the country. The addition of our 500th e-loco also reflects our commitment to improving India's railway infrastructure, particularly for freight, thereby catalyzing economic growth," he added.

The locomotives are being produced in one of India's biggest greenfield integrated manufacturing complexes in Madhepura, Bihar. The project is a joint effort between Alstom and Indian Railways and is the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project for the Indian rail industry. The Madhepura plant produces 120 locomotives a year and has localized almost 90%, it is a complete example of the 'Make in India' campaign.

Over 85% of the material used in these locomotives is locally sourced, strengthening India's indigenous manufacturing capabilities. The project has placed India in a select group of countries that are able to produce high-horsepower locomotives indigenously while promoting technological capabilities in the country. More than 120 million kilometers have been traveled by these electric locomotives, carrying critical commodities like coal, cement, food grains, fertilizers, petrochemical products, minerals, and postal and parcel packages over India's extensive railway system.

WAG-12B locomotives are fitted with advanced Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) based drive technology, which makes energy use highly efficient by regenerative braking. The technology provides energy saving by returning power to the grid during braking, lowering the total energy consumption. It also optimizes acceleration efficiency by reducing heat generation and traction noise, making the operation less costly and lowering congestion on the Indian Railways network.

With more than a century of activity in India, Alstom has been instrumental in the transformation of the country's rail infrastructure. Alstom provides a complete range of mobility solutions, from affordable mass-market platforms to high-performance technological innovations designed to address customer requirements. As a strategic partner in India's rail revolution, Alstom is contributing to the modernization of both freight and passenger transportation.

In shipping out its 500th electric locomotive, Alstom reiterated its leadership commitment to supporting India's environmentally sustainable transportation aspiration. The venture proves India's ascending self-dependency in rail high-tech manufacturing of equipment as well as being the world-class destination for rail innovation. Apart from contributing positively to the home industry of rail transportation, its success also catapults India as one of the influential players of the global supply of railway units.

With India expanding and upgrading its rail network, such projects should increase the efficiency of freight, lower carbon traces, and propel economic development. Alstom's partnership with Indian Railways signifies how cross-border partnerships play a role in promoting greener mobility solutions while enhancing India's industrial base.

The handing over of the 500th electric locomotive is not only a milestone for Alstom and Indian Railways but also a proud achievement for India's manufacturing and railway modernization story. With 300 additional locomotives to be handed over under the ongoing contract, this project is going to further transform freight transport so that India's rail network is always at the cutting edge of innovation and efficiency.