More Powerful Trains On Horizon: Indian Railways’ First Made In India 9,000 HP Electric Locomotive Rolled Out

India’s first indigenous 9,000 HP electric locomotive has been rolled out from the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) plant, providing a significant boost to the ‘Make In India’ programme, reports Financial Express (FE).

Though the Indian Railways inducted a 12,000 horsepower (HP) locomotive in April 2018, it was made under a joint venture between France and India. However, the 9000 HP locomotive was manufactured by the national transporter using local expertise.

According to a CLW official, the locomotive was built by upgrading the 6000 HP electric locomotive at an incremental cost of Rs 1.06 crore. This extra horsepower will go a long way in increasing the average speeds of both freight and passenger trains in the country.

After trials, CLW plans to manufacture seven more of the 9000 HP locomotives for freight operations which can attain maximum speeds of 110 kmph. Additionally, five more passenger locomotives of 9,000 HP will be made to achieve speeds of 140 kmph.

Breaking And Making Records

Under the present Indian government, Indian Railways achieved yet another feat by breaking all records of net annual coach production at its different factories by wide margins.

Together the three coach factories of the Indian Railways - Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Modern Coach Factory (MCF) and Rail Coach Factory (RCF) - produced a record 6,037 coaches in total, belittling the previous year's figure of 4,470 coaches which was the previous record. This marks a stellar 35 per cent growth in production.

Also Read: A ‘Made In India’ Success: Vande Bharat Express Completes Its First Commercial Run Smoothly