From Bihar To Africa: Railways To Export 150 Locomotives To Guinea As Part Of Rs 3000 Crore Deal

India will export 150 high-powered locomotives worth over Rs 3,000 crore to Guinea in Africa for operations at the Simandou iron ore project site, the Ministry of Railways announced on Monday (16 June), the Hindu reported.

“The Railway Locomotive factory in Marhowrah, Bihar, will supply 150 Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives. Thirty-seven locomotives will be exported in the current financial year, while 82 locomotives will be exported in the next financial year. Another 31 locomotives will be exported in the third year,” a Railways Ministry spokesperson quoted by the Hindu as saying.

These 4,500-horsepower Make in India locomotives are designed with state-of-the-art features including alternating current (AC) propulsion, regenerative braking, microprocessor-based controls, and modular architecture. 

Each locomotive will feature a single cab, and when operated in pairs, they will be capable of hauling 100 wagons at the maximum permissible speed. 

The locomotives are designed to meet advanced emission standards and will be equipped with fire-detection systems and ergonomic crew cabins.

These cabins will include modern amenities such as a refrigerator, microwave, and waterless toilet system. 

The locomotives will also be equipped with the Distributed Power Wireless Control System (DPWCS) for improved operational efficiency and coordinated freight movement. This system enables synchronised operations across long freight trains.

All locomotives will include air-conditioned driver's cabins to improve crew comfort.

The Marhowrah factory, where the locomotives are being produced, has installed broad gauge, standard gauge, and cape gauge tracks to meet international standards.

“The project was secured via global competitive bidding,” the spokesperson noted. The factory directly employs 285 workers, with an additional 1,215 engaged through indirect employment.

India is exporting metro coaches to Australia, bogies and underframes to the UK, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia, and propulsion systems to France, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Germany, and Italy.

Indian-made passenger coaches are in demand in Mozambique, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, while locomotives are being supplied to Mozambique, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

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