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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
What is the first 'Made-in-India' locomotive for export that PM Modi flagged off in Bihar?
PM Narendra Modi flagged off the first-ever 'Made-in-India' locomotive built for export to Africa's Guinea on Friday. As many as 150 state-of-the-art locomotives, valued at nearly Rs 3,000 crore, will be produced at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant in Bihar's Saran district and will be shipped over the next three years read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off a state-of-the-art diesel locomotive built in Bihar, set to be exported to the Republic of Guinea in West Africa, marking a major step forward for India's global manufacturing and export goals. The locomotives were produced at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant, located in Bihar's Saran district, and are being touted as a key achievement under the country's 'Make in India — Make for the World' initiative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi, who is on his fourth visit to Bihar ahead of the state elections, took the opportunity to launch the locomotive. He also laid the foundation for several development projects worth Rs 9,145 crore during his stop in Siwan. 'I returned from abroad only yesterday. During this visit, I spoke to the leaders of the world's prosperous countries. All the leaders are very impressed with India's rapid progress. They see India becoming the world's third-largest economic superpower. Bihar is going to play a crucial role in this…,' he said. Features of India's first-ever export locomotive According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the locomotive flagged off on Friday is the first export unit built at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant in Bihar's Saran district. #WATCH | Siwan, Bihar | Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant, for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the 'Make in India' initiative. This is the first export locomotive manufactured in this factory. They are… — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2025 Speaking to ANI, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity (EDIP) at the Railway Board, explained that while the plant earlier manufactured locomotives solely for Indian Railways, an increase in capacity has now opened the doors to international exports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have received a big order from the Republic of Guinea, which requires standard-gauge locomotives. 150 locomotives will be sent to the Republic of Guinea over the next three years for their iron ore mine,' he said. Sandeep, Managing Director of Wabtec India, noted that the locomotives are a key part of Guinea's Simandou Project, considered one of the largest iron ore mining projects in the world. The project was awarded back in 2015, with Wabtec holding a 75 per cent equity stake and Indian Railways owning 25 per cent. Since production began, the plant has delivered 726 locomotives to Indian Railways, and now, 150 units valued at nearly Rs 3,000 crore will be shipped to Guinea. The release said the locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, an advanced AC propulsion system, microprocessor-based control systems, ergonomic cab designs, and incorporate technologies like regenerative braking. #WATCH | Bihar: PM Narendra Modi will flag off the first locomotive later today, which will be exported to the Republic of Guinea from the Locomotive Factory in Saran's Marhowrah. The locomotive factory in Marhowrah, Saran, is India's first Public-Private Partnership Project… — ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A senior Railways official, quoted by The Indian Express, called the moment a major milestone for the country: 'This moment marks a historic milestone. For the first time, a manufacturing unit based in Bihar is exporting heavy locomotive engines to the global market, firmly placing India on the map as a global railway manufacturing hub.' The official added that the success reflects India's push towards self-reliance and global competitiveness. This achievement echoes the vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, translating policy into tangible, global impact. With the slogan 'Make in Bihar – Make for the World', Saran is transforming from a small town to a symbol of India's manufacturing capability.' PM Modi's Bihar visit PM Modi kicked off his latest visit to Bihar from Siwan on Friday, where he inaugurated the Vaishali-Deoria railway line project, a major development worth over Rs 400 crore. He also flagged off a new Vande Bharat Express service, connecting Patliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This visit adds to a series of stops the Prime Minister has made in poll-bound Bihar this year. Earlier, he travelled to Bhagalpur, Madhubani, and Vikramganj (Rohtas) as part of his outreach across different regions of the state. A senior BJP leader told The Indian Express that more such visits are expected in the coming months. 'In election year, the PM has been travelling to every Bihar region, telling people about the central government's mega projects for the state. We are expecting more Bihar visits by the PM in the coming months.' With input from agencies
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
PM Modi to flag off first 'made in India' locomotive for export to Guinea from Marhowra plant in Bihar
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): Furthering the vision of 'Make in India - Make for the World,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant in Bihar's Saran for export to the Republic of Guinea on Friday, a release said. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) release, this is the first export locomotive manufactured in this factory. The release said the locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, an advanced AC propulsion system, microprocessor-based control systems, ergonomic cab designs, and incorporate technologies like regenerative braking. Speaking to ANI, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity (EDIP) at the Railway Board, said the plant earlier produced locomotives exclusively for Indian Railways, but with increased capacity, India is now entering the global locomotive export market. 'Marhowrah Diesel Locomotive Plant is a dream project of the Indian Railway. Locomotives manufactured here were earlier being supplied within the Indian railways, and now with increased production, we have decided to export locomotives. We have received a big order from the Republic of Guinea, which requires standard gauge locomotives... 150 locomotives will be sent to the Republic of Guinea over the next three years for their iron ore mine,' he said. He added that standard gauge locomotives are in high demand globally, especially in Western Europe, Africa, and Australia, and the plant has been upgraded to produce both standard and broad gauge variants. 'We have modified this plant to manufacture standard gauge locomotives with broad gauge locomotives... Standard gauge locomotives are in high demand in countries of Western Europe, Africa, and Australia... Directly and indirectly, 2000-2500 people have been employed here,' he said. Sandeep, Managing Director of Wabtec India, said the locomotives are crucial for Guinea's Simandou Project, one of the world's largest iron ore mining ventures. 'The iron ore will be shipped to a port 620 km away, which will be done via rail, and the iron ore will then be exported to various countries. These locomotives are an important rolling stock that will drive trains 24/7, and we hope that it is a successful project...' he said. He noted that the project was awarded in 2015, with Wabtec holding a 75% equity stake and Indian Railways 25 per cent. Since operations began, 726 locomotives have been delivered to Indian Railways, and now 150 will be exported to Guinea. 'Over 99 per cent of the workforce here is from Bihar, and more than 1,500 people have been empowered through this project,' he added. PM Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Bihar and Odisha starting Friday, where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects. According to a release, PM Modi will begin his visit from Bihar's Siwan, where he will inaugurate the new Vaishali-Deoria railway line project worth over Rs 400 crore and flag off a new train service on this route. The Prime Minister will also flag off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. In line with his commitment to conserving and rejuvenating the river Ganga, PM Modi will also inaugurate six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange project, worth over Rs 1800 crore. As per the release, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation and STPs worth over Rs 3000 crore in various towns across Bihar. In a significant boost to power infrastructure in the region, the PM will lay the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity in Bihar. (ANI)
