Alstom seeks 200 more locomotive orders from Indian Railways

French train maker Alstom is seeking a follow-on order for 200 locomotives from the Indian Railways for its manufacturing plant at Madhepura in Bihar, said a top company executive.

Vivek Garg, managing director at the Madhepura Electric Locomotive Pvt Ltd (MELPL), told ET the initial order for 800 electric freight locomotives will be completed by March 2008 and discussions are on with the railways for the additional supplies.

Currently, nearly 90% of the locomotive is locally sourced and only the wheels and axles continue to be imported, he said.


Talks are on with Ramkrishna Forgings for wheel supplies, but they will be contingent on additional orders from Indian Railways, said Garg.

“The land parcel has been leased to us for 35 years,” said Garg. “The current manufacturing contract will be over in March 2028, when we complete the delivery of 800 locomotives.”

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Set up in 2015, MELPL is a public-private joint venture between Alstom and Indian Railways. It manufactures and maintains 12,000 horsepower electric freight locomotives and represents one of Indian Railways’ largest foreign direct investment (FDI) projects.

Garg said the contract allows for the railways to seek modifications in the locomotives.

“If the customer (Indian Railways) would like to have changes in certain aspects of the locomotive, those can also be initiated,” he said.

On whether the factory can be used to produce hydrogen trains, he said, “There are a number of possibilities…We (Alstom) are the pioneers of hydrogen technology and battery technology.”

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MELPL representatives have held talks with upcoming wheel manufacturing units in the country to increase localisation. “Our sourcing team is in touch with Ramkrishna Forgings, whose facility is coming up,” said Garg, highlighting a follow-on order for 200 locomotives will encourage suppliers as well.

MELPL also has maintenance contracts for the current 800 locomotives. “Wheels and axles wear out and need to be replaced during maintenance,” he said. “So that cyclic business would also come and can also be offered to those manufacturers.”