Indian Railways to Begin Locomotive Exports from Dahod in Three Years: Minister Vaishnaw.

The electric locomotive manufacturing unit in Dahod, Gujarat, will begin producing a sufficient number of high-speed freight train engines within three years to support exports, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said recently.

During a visit to Gujarat, Vaishnaw inspected the first 9000-horsepower (HP) locomotive under production at the Dahod unit, which will soon be operational for Indian Railways.

The foundation stone for the ₹20,000 crore facility was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2022. The unit is expected to play a crucial role in boosting freight train speed and efficiency by manufacturing high-power locomotives under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for World’ initiatives.

Railway officials stated that these locomotives, developed in collaboration with Siemens, will be capable of hauling 4,500-tonne cargo loads at speeds of up to 120 kmph. They will also feature digital tracking systems, Kavach safety technology, and eco-friendly propulsion systems.

HBL