Madhepura (Bihar): Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi dedicated the ‘Make in India’ Madhepura Electric Locomotive Facility to the nation and remotely flagged off the country’s first all-electric locomotive from Madhepura in Bihar on Tuesday. Manufactured in India, under a landmark Joint Venture between Alstom (76%) and Indian Railways (24%), this electric locomotive project marks a transformational step change for rail freight movement in India as well as the region of Madhepura.
Each ‘WAG12’ double section locomotive, part of Alstom’s Prima locomotives family, is capable of hauling 6,000 tonnes, at a maximum speed of 120 km/h, thanks to its 12,000 Horsepower – allowing faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains across the country. The electric locomotives will eventually move to the testing and maintenance depot at Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh before being introduced to the mainline network as part of the freight fleet. This electric locomotive was completed, on schedule, in February 2018, while the second loco will roll out in 2019.
“It is a matter of great pride and privilege for Alstom to have Hon’ble Prime Minister of India flagging off our first complete electric locomotive and dedicating the Madhepura facility to the nation. There can be no stronger endorsement of our efforts towards ‘Make in India’ and skilling initiatives in the country. Alstom is proud to partner with the Indian Railways on this transformational journey towards a sustainable future in mobility in the country,” said Alain Spohr, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Alstom.
“We are confident that this facility will also pave the way for the industrial development in Bihar and will act as a gateway of opportunities for the region”, he added.
In Madhepura, the company is working towards developing an ecosystem to enable local manufacturers to set up manufacturing units in and around the area. Alstom’s active and targeted community action programme at Madhepura focusing on skill development and education will further prepare more than 5000 young minds for gainful employment. The company will adopt a local ITI to provide skill development to 840 students over the next 10 years. Of these, 300 students will be absorbed by Alstom for apprenticeship programmes within the facility. This will work in tandem with focused scholarship programmes for meritorious students in schools in the area to develop children from an early age as well.
Other initiatives for supporting the local communities include healthcare interventions by the company like mobile medical units in the area with doctors on board, health and wellness awareness camps, free medication distribution and special services for women and children.
