Indian Railways is currently in formal discussions with French manufacturer Alstom to procure an additional 200 electric freight locomotives. This potential follow-up order aims to leverage the success of the existing Madhepura facility in Bihar, which has been instrumental in modernizing the national transporter’s freight operations. The discussions center on utilizing the manufacturing capacity established under the original 2015 joint venture agreement between Alstom and the Ministry of Railways.
Key details of the ongoing developments include:
- Proposed Order: Indian Railways is negotiating for 200 additional WAG-12B electric locomotives.
- Production Facility: These units are planned to be manufactured at the Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL) plant.
- Current Contract Status: The original order for 800 WAG-12B locomotives is nearing completion, with final deliveries expected by March 2028.
- Production Milestone: As of August 2026, 650 locomotives have already been successfully delivered.
- Economic Impact: The project has generated approximately ₹60,000 crore in nationwide economic output between FY 2020 and 2026.
Strengthening the Make in India Initiative
The partnership between Indian Railways and Alstom via MELPL stands as a flagship example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Beyond just manufacturing, the two entities are currently exploring ways to increase the localization of components and expand the facility’s scope to produce other railway-related products. While these discussions are ongoing, no final decision has been reached regarding these expanded manufacturing capabilities.
Performance and Maintenance of WAG-12B Locomotives
The WAG-12B locomotives have proven to be a game-changer for Indian Railways, as they are capable of hauling heavy freight at speeds reaching 120 km/h. These high-horsepower engines have significantly bolstered the country’s rail freight capacity. Furthermore, the operational success of these units is supported by a robust maintenance framework. Alstom, through MELPL, holds a maintenance service agreement for 300 WAG-12B locomotives at the Sabarmati depot, which remains valid until February 2031.
Beyond their operational utility, the Madhepura facility has been a major economic driver for the region, contributing 4.6% to the Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) and sustaining an average of 2,300 jobs annually. As the current contract concludes, these discussions signal a strong commitment to maintaining the momentum of freight modernization across the Indian rail network.