Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable transportation solutions, has celebrated a decade of success in its public-private partnership with Indian Railways through Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL). The collaboration, focused on manufacturing India’s most powerful electric locomotives for freight services, has seen the delivery of over 550 high-powered Prima T8 locomotives, each with 12,000 horsepower (9 MW). The milestone was commemorated at the state-of-the-art locomotive maintenance depot in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
In 2015, Indian Railways awarded a landmark contract worth €3.5 billion to Alstom for the supply of 800 fully electric, super-powered double-section locomotives capable of hauling around 6,000 tonnes. These locomotives, designated as WAG-12B, are built at a large greenfield manufacturing facility in Madhepura, Bihar, which aligns with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. To date, over 85% of the project has been localized, reinforcing India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities. Alstom’s achievement makes India the sixth country globally to manufacture such powerful locomotives locally.
Reflecting on the partnership, Olivier Loison, Managing Director of Alstom India, expressed pride in the milestone. “This collaboration has revolutionized freight transport in India and helped establish a world-class industrial ecosystem. Not only have we delivered India’s most powerful freight locomotives, but we’ve also created a robust local supply chain and trained over 22,000 railway staff. This project has been a catalyst for the ‘Make in India’ vision and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, and we are committed to driving the green logistics revolution, powering India’s growth in rail solutions.”
The manufacturing facility at Madhepura, spanning 250 acres, is one of the largest integrated greenfield sites in India, with a capacity of producing 120 locomotives annually. The WAG 12B locomotives feature cutting-edge IGBT-based propulsion technology, regenerative braking, and climate-control systems, making them more energy-efficient and reducing heat and traction noise. Alstom has also ensured a significant socio-economic impact, creating over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The company has invested in community development projects across 21 villages, improving access to education, healthcare, and skills training, positively impacting over 30,000 lives.
As part of its ongoing commitment to India’s rail industry, Alstom continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s freight revolution and is focused on sustainable growth and technological innovation, further solidifying its position as a trusted partner in India’s rail sector transformation.
Alstom is dedicated to fostering a low-carbon future by developing and promoting innovative, sustainable transportation solutions that enhance the passenger experience. From high-speed trains and metros to monorails, trams, and complete turnkey systems, Alstom offers the widest range of mobility solutions in the industry. The company’s offerings span services, infrastructure, signalling, and digital mobility, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its global customer base. With a presence in 63 countries and a team of over 86,000 people representing 184 nationalities, Alstom focuses its design, innovation, and project management expertise on areas where mobility solutions are most critical. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Alstom reported sales of €18.5 billion.
In India, Alstom is the only multinational provider of sustainable mobility solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio to meet diverse customer needs, from affordable mass-market platforms to cutting-edge technological innovations. The company is a key partner in India’s ‘Rail Revolution,’ supporting both freight and passenger movement. Alstom operates six industrial sites and five major engineering centres across the country, not only fulfilling domestic project requirements but also contributing to international projects. By aligning with India’s modernization goals, Alstom has pioneered several breakthrough technologies in the country, delivering world-class rolling stock, rail equipment, signalling, and services.
Fully committed to India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, Alstom continues to strengthen its local sourcing and supply chain capabilities. The company remains a leader in advancing India’s rail infrastructure and is dedicated to supporting the nation’s vision for a more sustainable and self-reliant future.
