Narendra Modi to flag off first locomotive export to Guinea from Bihar on June 20
In a big boost for Indian manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first locomotive built in India for export to the Republic of Guinea on June 20, 2025. The engine has been built at the modern railway factory situated in Marhowrah, Bihar, and marks the start of a major export deal between India and a country in Africa.advertisementAccording to the agreement, India will export 150 top-of-the-line locomotives worth more than Rs 3,000 crore to Guinea over the next three years. The locomotives are being supplied for the SimFer's Simandou iron ore project, one of the largest mining projects in Africa.Railway Board official Dilip Kumar explained that 37 locomotives will be supplied in this financial year, 82 in the next financial year, and 31 in the third. All locomotives will have air-conditioned crew cabins, and each will be capable of pulling up to 100 wagons in pairs at the highest allowed speed.
The locomotives are newly built with modern safety and comfort features such as:Best-in-class emission standardsFire detection systemsErgonomic cabins with a refrigerator, microwave, and waterless toiletDPWCS (Distributed Power Wireless Control System) for better freight handlingadvertisementTo facilitate such manufacturing, the Marhowrah plant has laid a total of three types of tracks: broad gauge, standard gauge, and cape gauge, which also allows the plant to manufacture locomotives used in various parts of the world.The project for export was won by global competitive bidding, reflecting India's capacity to meet global competitive standards. The officials noted that this deal will lead to job creation, the expansion of local industries, and the transformation of Marhowrah into a global hub for locomotive exports."This is a perfect representation of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) driving global economies," said Dilip Kumar. "We want to see more nations put such orders with Indian companies."The Railway Ministry also added that this export will improve Guinea's infrastructure and strengthen India-Africa ties.
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