The locomotives manufactured in Bihar’s Marhaura are set to run on railways worldwide, marking a historic moment for the state. This is the first time an engine built in Bihar will be exported. This initiative, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, aims to ‘Make in Bihar – Make for the World,’ with the first shipment destined for Guinea.
The Marhaura factory, a joint venture between Wabtec Inc. and Indian Railways, is a major accomplishment. Wabtec holds a 76% stake, while Indian Railways has 24%. Since its inception in 2018, the unit has manufactured 729 high-performance diesel engines. This includes 545 engines with 4500 HP and 184 engines with 6000 HP. Following a visit by Guinea’s ministers, a deal for 140 engines, valued at approximately 3000 crore, was secured. The locomotives will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The unit, named KOMO and spanning 226 acres, is increasing production capabilities with the growth in exports. The facility is expected to become a global locomotive manufacturing hub. Around 40-50% of the components are sourced from Indian states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Jamshedpur, with certain specialized engine parts sourced from the USA.
Railway sources indicate that 37 locomotives will be exported in the current fiscal year, followed by 82 in the next, and 31 in the third. All the locomotives will have AC cabs. Each locomotive will feature a single cab, and two locomotives together can haul 100 wagons at the maximum allowable speed. The Marhaura factory directly employs 285 individuals and supports 1215 indirect jobs. Furthermore, over 2100 people across India are employed in various services related to this joint venture.