Bihar’s Marhowra-based locomotive plant has rolled out its first freight locomotive set for shipment to West Africa, signalling a new chapter in India’s railway diplomacy and engineering excellence.
The facility, a result of a public-private partnership between Indian Railways and Wabtec Corporation, is now positioned to emerge as a critical global supplier of high-powered, eco-adapted rail solutions. Unveiled this week by senior officials from both Wabtec and Indian Railways, the diesel-electric locomotive—custom-built to suit African rail standards—marks the first of over 100 units slated for delivery to the continent over the next four years. The inaugural consignment is expected to be shipped through Gujarat’s Mundra Port by mid-2025.
The Marhowra unit has already delivered more than 700 Evolution Series locomotives to Indian Railways since it began operations in 2015. Now, with its foray into the global market, the plant is poised to become a strategic cog in India’s ambitions to be a green manufacturing powerhouse while supporting transport development in the Global South. Fitted with 4,500 to 6,000 HP engines, the locomotives have been engineered not only to handle heavier freight loads but also to navigate climate-specific challenges of West Africa. Engineers from Wabtec undertook multiple site visits to ensure custom specifications matched local needs, particularly for mineral freight linked to a recently launched large-scale iron ore mining initiative in the importing nation.
What sets this project apart is its synergy with India’s broader green transport and Make-in-India goals. By exporting cleaner and more efficient freight locomotives tailored to emerging markets, the collaboration signals a shift toward low-emission infrastructure support for developing economies. Sujatha Narayan, Senior Vice President and India Region Leader at Wabtec, said the project underlines the reliability and quality of Indian-made transport solutions. “This export deal reinforces our position as not only a domestic supplier but also a trusted global partner for sustainable freight solutions,” she stated.
The locomotives, with their enhanced emission control technologies and fuel efficiency, are aligned with India’s push for decarbonising heavy transport both domestically and internationally. This initiative also strengthens India’s economic diplomacy and provides momentum for regional partnerships rooted in sustainable infrastructure. As Indian Railways continues to modernise its fleet, Marhowra’s dual role—servicing domestic demand while meeting international orders—exemplifies how infrastructure-led growth can be inclusive, globally competitive, and environmentally conscious.
At a time when India is making strong diplomatic inroads across Africa through trade, technology, and transport collaborations, this locomotive export underlines Bihar’s growing relevance in India’s manufacturing supply chain. It also underscores the potential for smaller towns and states to be embedded into global industrial corridors. If the project proceeds on schedule, India’s visibility as a green transport exporter will receive a further boost, and Marhowra could become the face of India’s industrial transformation—from agrarian roots to a future-ready, globally integrated manufacturing base.
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