Alstom celebrated 10 successful years of Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), its public-private partnership with Indian Railways, dedicated to building India’s most powerful electric locomotives for freight service. Through this joint venture, over 550 indigenously manufactured high-powered double-section Prima T8 locomotives of 12,000 HP (9 MW) have been delivered to date. This milestone was commemorated at the state-of-the-art locomotive maintenance depot in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

A powerful engine for Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat

In 2015, a landmark contract worth 3.5 billion euro was awarded by Indian Railways to supply 800 fully electric super-powered double-section locomotives of 12,000 HP capable of hauling approximately 6,000 tonnes, and associated maintenance for a period of 13 years. Designated by Indian Railways as WAG-12B, these locomotives are built at one of India’s largest integrated greenfield manufacturing facilities at Madhepura, Bihar. In line with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, Alstom has progressively achieved over 85 per cent localisation, reinforced India’s domestic manufacturing prowess and become the sixth nation globally to build such powerful locos indigenously.

Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India, said, “This is a moment of immense pride, celebrating a strong and enduring partnership that has truly transformed freight movement in India. We have not only put India’s most powerful freight locos on the tracks but have also seen the creation of a world-class industrial ecosystem and laid a foundation for local talent and technology. This project has been a powerful engine for ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, establishing a deep-rooted local supply chain and creating over 10,000 skilled jobs. Our commitment is stronger than ever to leverage this incredible legacy, drive the green logistics revolution, and continue powering India’s journey as a global hub for world-class rail solutions.”

In May 2020, the first e-loco was inducted into commercial service and by October 2020, the Ministry of Railways and Commissioner of Railway Safety / RDSO had certified these e-locos to operate at a top speed of 120 kmph. This year, these locos were also deployed for passenger movement during the peak festive season to cater to growing demand.

To ensure high availability and reduce maintenance cost, Alstom has also built two ultramodern state-of-the-art maintenance depots at Saharanpur and Nagpur, using predictive technologies. The depots also provide Prompt Response Teams (PRT) across the nation, comprising trained personnel equipped with tools and critical spares. To date, more than 22,000 Indian Railways staff (Nagpur, Saharanpur and Sabarmati) have been trained.

World-class manufacturing and technical superiority

Basis the contract, one of India’s largest integrated greenfield manufacturing facilities spread across 250 acres has been set up in Madhepura, Bihar. With a production capacity of 120 locomotives per annum, this industrial site is built to international standards of safety and quality. Equipped with Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) based propulsion technology, the WAG-12B uses regenerative braking, reducing energy consumption. Moreover, with this e-loco, Alstom is introducing freight trains that emit less heat and traction noise. With 1,676 mm of broad gauge, the e-locos are designed to take smooth turns even at the sharpest of curves.

The e-locos, designed at Alstom’s Engineering Centre in Bengaluru, use an eight-axle design that enhances locomotive performance. The Prima T8 technology makes operation comfortable and flexible in extreme temperatures ranging from ?50 °C to 50 °C. With this, Alstom introduces novel features into Indian freight trains such as climate control systems, air conditioners, food preparation and storage facilities and toilets. The WAG-12B e-locos are also equipped with spacious cabins for pilots to work comfortably.

Socio-economic effect

Alstom’s joint venture with Indian Railways has created over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in various Indian states. To support the local communities, Alstom is actively investing in the upliftment of communities across 21 villages in and around Madhepura and Saharanpur, covering education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and skilling. The company has launched specific initiatives with the American India Foundation (AIF), SEEDS Impact and Learning Links Foundation (LLF), and touched over 30,000 lives.

Alstom has been associated with India’s progress for over 100 years. As the leading multinational sustainable mobility provider in India, Alstom offers a comprehensive portfolio of offerings to meet customer-specific needs, from cost-efficient mass-market platforms to high-end technological innovations. Synonymous with the country’s Rail Revolution, Alstom continues to be a strategic partner in supporting India’s freight revolution and passenger movement.