A New Era for Indian Railways

Dahod: On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Loco Manufacturing Shop-Rolling Stock Workshop in Dahod, Gujarat, marking a pivotal moment for Indian Railways with the launch of its first electric locomotive from this new facility.

During the inauguration, PM Modi emphasized the significance of this workshop, which represents a substantial investment of ₹20,000 crore.

The groundwork for this project was laid in 2022, and in just three years, the advanced production center is now operational.

This workshop is designed to produce 120 electric locomotives annually, with the potential to increase output to 150 units depending on future demands.

Through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, Indian Railways plans to manufacture a total of 1,200 electric locomotives at this site over the next ten years.

Each locomotive, boasting 9,000 HP, aligns with PM Modi's initiatives of 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', proudly labeled as 'Manufactured in Dahod'.

These powerful engines can haul up to 4,600 tonnes of cargo and are intended for both domestic markets and export.

For the first time, these locomotives will feature air conditioning and restroom facilities for drivers, enhancing crew comfort significantly.

Moreover, an advanced safety cover system has been implemented to reduce the risk of accidents.

Currently, four locomotives are in production at the Dahod facility, all set to carry the 'Manufactured in Dahod' label.

These locomotives are expected to primarily operate on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and on graded railway sections.

They are engineered to pull double-stack container freight trains weighing up to 4,500 tonnes at speeds of 75 km/h on a one in 200 gradient, aiming to increase the average speed of such trains from the current 20-25 km/h to approximately 50-60 km/h.

This enhancement in operational efficiency is anticipated to significantly improve freight capacity and overall line efficiency across Indian Railways.