In an effort to boost rail equipment exports and optimise the use of domestic manufacturing facilities, Indian Railways’ Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) has successfully exported two of the ten planned locomotives to Mozambique.
The Mozambique Railways (CFM) awarded the contract to the BLW through RITES for the manufacturing and supply of 10 state-of-the-art 3300 HP AC-AC diesel-electric locomotives.
Out of the 10 locomotives, 2 locomotives have been successfully delivered to Mozambique in June, while the remaining 8 locomotives are scheduled to be delivered by December 2025.
“The global contract for 10 locomotives was awarded to RITES, a public sector undertaking (PSU) of the Ministry of Railways, which further got the locomotives manufactured at BLW. These are advanced diesel locomotives of 3300 horsepower. It is capable of running at a maximum speed of 100 kmph on Cape Gauge (1067 mm). BLW has exported locomotives to Mozambique earlier as well,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Railways.
The data from the BLW indicates that a total of 10 Cape Gauge diesel locomotives, each with a capacity of 3000 HP and utilising AC-AC technology, have been supplied to Mozambique’s state-owned rail operator, CFM, since the initial shipment in 2008-09. In the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23, five locomotives were delivered and are currently operating successfully within Mozambique.
These 3300 HP diesel locomotives are equipped with various amenities to enhance the comfort of the driver, including a refrigerator, hot plate, mobile holder, aesthetically designed cab, and toilet facilities, all built to international standards.
On June 20, Prime Minister Modi flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive manufactured at the Marhowrah Plant, marking the first locomotive exported from this facility to the Republic of Guinea.
Since its establishment on April 23, 1956, the Banaras Locomotive Works, formerly known as Diesel Locomotive Works, has produced over 10,000 locomotives for various sectors, including Indian Railways, steel plants, mines, ports, and export markets.
