Alstom has successfully commenced production at its greenfield electric locomotive manufacturing facility in India. Located at Madhepura, in the state of Bihar, it is Alstom’s first electric locomotive manufacturing facility in the country, set to transform the heavy freight transport landscape in the country.
Commencing production on schedule, the construction of the plant is a remarkable achievement in the construction of greenfield facilities in the country. The Prima T8 (WAG12) locomotive, which will be produced in this new factory, is part of Alstom’s Prima range of locomotives and has been specially adapted for Indian network. The first two car body shells have already arrived at Madhepura and will be soon fitted and assembled at the plant. The first locomotive will be ready for roll-out early next year. The first 5 locomotives by 2019 followed by 35 locomotives by 2020, 60 in 2021, and by 100 every year till the target of 800 is completed.
A true embodiment of government’s ‘Make in India’ vision and built to the highest standards of quality and safety, this facility is part of a joint venture between Alstom (74 percent) and Indian Railways (26 percent). Spread across 250 acres, it currently employs 70 people, with plans to ramp it up at a rate of 25 percent every year till it reaches full capacity. The facility also aims to employ local youth, basis the required skill sets, to support socio-economic development of Madhepura.
Commenting on this feat, Jean-Francois Beaudoin, senior vice president Asia Pacific at Alstom said, “The E-loco project is one of the most prestigious projects for Alstom worldwide and this feat, therefore, is a commendable achievement for the entire company. The facility is a multimillion euro investment by Alstom and is a proof of our commitment to infrastructure development in India. In order to make a difference in this market, we need local expertise, competitive manufacturing capacity and close relationships with our customers. The commencement of production at the plant is a perfect testimony to our strategy to develop and grow a localized ecosystem to bring wide reaching benefits for railways and the community at large.”
Headquartered in Bangalore, Alstom’s current manufacturing footprint in India includes its metro rolling stock manufacturing facility at Sricity, component manufacturing facility at Coimbatore with the latest addition being e-loco manufacturing facility at Madhepura. For the e-loco project, the company is also setting-up two maintenance depots at Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh state) and Nagpur (Maharashtra state). In addition, it also has a rolling stock and signaling design and engineering center in Bangalore. This extensive footprint is enabling Alstom to expand its portfolio and deliver bespoke products and solutions to meet the growing needs of customers in India and other global markets.
