Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated India’s first-ever ‘Made-in-India’ locomotive, specifically designed for export to the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. This groundbreaking event marks a significant advance in India’s global manufacturing and export aspirations. A total of 150 state-of-the-art locomotives, valued at approximately ₹3,000 crore, will be manufactured at the Marhowra Diesel Locomotive Plant in Saran district, Bihar, and are set to be shipped over the next three years.
During his fourth visit to Bihar ahead of the state elections, PM Modi used this occasion not only to launch the locomotive but also to announce the initiation of several development projects totaling ₹9,145 crore in Siwan. He remarked, “I returned from abroad only yesterday. During my visit, I spoke to leaders from prosperous countries who are impressed by India’s rapid progress. They see India emerging as the world’s third-largest economic superpower, and Bihar is going to play a crucial role in this journey.”
The locomotive is being celebrated as a key achievement under India’s ‘Make in India — Make for the World’ initiative. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, this locomotive represents the first export unit manufactured at the Marhowra facility. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, stated that the plant, previously focused solely on Indian Railways, has expanded its capacity for international exports.
Kumar explained, “We have received a significant order from the Republic of Guinea, which requires standard-gauge locomotives for their iron ore mining operations. Over the next three years, 150 locomotives will be delivered.” Notably, these locomotives are crucial for Guinea’s Simandou Project, one of the largest iron ore mining endeavors globally. The project, awarded in 2015, has Wabtec holding a 75 percent equity stake, while Indian Railways owns the remaining 25 percent.
Since operations began, the Marhowra plant has already delivered 726 locomotives for Indian Railways and is poised to ship additional units valued at ₹3,000 crore to Guinea. The locomotives boast high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion systems, microprocessor-based control, ergonomic cab designs, and technologies like regenerative braking.
A senior Railway official highlighted the moment as historic, stating, “This marks the first time a manufacturing unit in Bihar is exporting heavy locomotive engines to the global market, firmly establishing India as a global railway manufacturing hub.” This milestone demonstrates India’s self-reliance and ambition to compete internationally. The achievement is also a reflection of the broader initiative of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, showcasing tangible global impacts with the slogan ‘Make in Bihar – Make for the World.’
During this latest visit, PM Modi also inaugurated the Vaishali-Deoria railway line project in Siwan, worth over ₹400 crore, and introduced a new Vande Bharat Express service connecting Patliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. This visit is part of a series of engagements in an election year, aimed at informing the public about the significant projects being launched by the central government in Bihar.
A senior BJP leader mentioned that further visits by PM Modi are anticipated in the coming months as part of the ongoing outreach to highlight the government’s initiatives in Bihar.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/made-in-india-locomotive-bihar-export-pm-modi-13898903.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-20 17:07:00
