Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the 9000 HP Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Unit in Dahod,
Gujarat, on March 12, 2024. This visit marked the inauguration of the facility’s first phase, aligning with the Indian Railways’ commitment to enhancing its manufacturing capabilities.
The Dahod workshop, originally established in 1926 for steam locomotive overhauls, has been upgraded to manufacture high-power electric locomotives. The facility is set to produce 1,200 locomotives over 11 years, each with a horsepower of 9,000 and a speed potential of 120 km/h.
During his visit, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the project’s significance for local economic development and employment generation. He highlighted plans to collaborate with local engineering colleges to provide specialized training, aiming to stimulate substantial economic activity in the region.
The project is a collaboration with Siemens India, responsible for manufacturing and maintaining these locomotives over 35 years. The initiative underscores the ‘Make in India’ mission, aiming for complete indigenization and development of ancillary manufacturing units.
These high-horsepower locomotives are expected to enhance freight operations, particularly on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, improving average train speeds and line capacity. Equipped with state-of-the-art IGBT-based propulsion technology, they also offer energy savings through regenerative braking.
