Alstom Delivers 500th Electric Locomotive to Indian Railways

In partnership with Indian Railways, Alstom has delivered the 500th electric locomotive from its manufacturing site in Madhepura, Bihar.

This achievement is part of a contract for 800 high-powered double-section Prima T8 WAG-12B locomotives, each with a capacity of 12,000 horsepower (9 MW). These new vehicles are expected to enhance freight services across India.

The locomotive was officially dispatched in the presence of key dignitaries, including Manish Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer of Indian Railways, and senior officials from Alstom.

The WAG-12B locomotives are designed to transport heavy freight loads of approximately 6,000 tonnes at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Madhepura, one of India’s largest integrated greenfield sites, was developed as part of a joint venture between Alstom and Indian Railways. The facility has an annual production capacity of 120 locomotives and has achieved close to 90% localisation, in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. More than 85% of the locomotive components are sourced from within India, reinforcing the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India, said:

Our WAG 12B electric locomotives powered by cutting-edge technology are fully manufactured in India and provide enhanced speed, efficiency, and reliability of freight haulage across the country. The delivery of our 500th e-loco underscores our commitment to modernise India's railway infrastructure especially for freight, thereby driving economic growth.

The locomotives will strengthen freight movement across India, transporting key commodities such as coal, cement, food grains, fertilisers, petrochemicals, and minerals over extensive distances. They are equipped with Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT)-based propulsion technology, which improves energy efficiency through regenerative braking. This technology reduces energy consumption, enhances acceleration efficiency, and minimises traction noise, contributing to cost savings and reduced congestion on the rail network.

In addition to manufacturing, Alstom has established modern maintenance depots in Saharanpur and Nagpur, incorporating predictive technologies to ensure operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.