New Delhi: In a milestone moment for India’s freight transportation sector, Alstom — the global leader in smart and sustainable mobility — and Indian Railways celebrated 10 successful years of their joint venture, Madhupura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL). The celebrations were held at the state-of-the-art locomotive maintenance depot in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Over the past decade, MELPL has delivered more than 550 indigenously built, high-powered, double-section Prima T8 electric locomotives, each boasting 12,000 horsepower (9 MW). These locomotives — the most powerful freight engines operating in India — have significantly boosted the country’s heavy-load rail freight capabilities.
A Strong Engine for ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
The origin of this engineering success dates back to 2015, when Indian Railways signed a landmark €3.5 billion contract with Alstom to supply 800 fully electric, super-powered locomotives capable of hauling up to 6,000 tonnes at once. The agreement also entrusted Alstom with the locomotives’ maintenance for 13 years.
Named WAG–12B, these locomotives are manufactured at one of India’s largest greenfield railway plants in Madhupura, Bihar. Under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, Alstom has achieved over 85% localisation, making India the sixth country in the world to produce locomotives of such high power domestically.
“This is a moment of immense pride,” said Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India. “We have delivered India’s most powerful freight locomotives, built a world-class industrial ecosystem, and strengthened local talent and technology. With over 10,000 skilled jobs created and a deep local supply chain, this partnership has truly transformed India’s transport landscape. Our commitment to green logistics and future-ready solutions is stronger than ever.”
High-Speed, High-Performance Locomotives Powering India’s Growth
The first locomotive entered commercial service in May 2020. By October 2020, they were cleared by the Ministry of Railways and the Commissioner of Railway Safety/RDSO to run at speeds up to 120 kmph. This year, in response to festive-season demand, some WAG-12B units were also deployed to haul passenger trains.
To ensure high availability and reduced maintenance costs, Alstom has built two ultra-modern depots in Saharanpur and Nagpur. These centres use predictive maintenance technologies and house Prompt Response Teams (PRTs) capable of rapid interventions across the country.
To date, Alstom has trained more than 22,000 Indian Railways personnel at facilities in Nagpur, Saharanpur, and Sabarmati.
World-Class Manufacturing, Engineered in India
The sprawling 250-acre Madhupura plant is one of India’s most advanced integrated locomotive manufacturing units, capable of producing 120 locomotives per year.
The WAG-12B locomotives feature:
- IGBT-based propulsion technology
- Regenerative braking for energy efficiency
- A design tailored for India’s 1676 mm broad gauge
- Ability to operate reliably in extreme temperatures, from –50°C to 50°C
- Eight-axle structure for enhanced traction and stability
- Comfortable cabs with climate control, food-preparation space, and toilets for locomotive pilots
- In addition, these locomotives reduce heat and traction noise, contributing to greener freight operations.
Transforming Local Communities Through Social Impact
Alstom’s partnership with Indian Railways has generated over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs across multiple states. The company continues to invest heavily in community development around Madhupura and Saharanpur, working across 21 villages on education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and skills training.
Collaborations with organisations like AIF, SEEDS Impact and Learning Links Foundation (LLF) have positively impacted more than 30,000 lives.
A Century-Long Commitment to India’s Mobility Future
Alstom has been contributing to India’s growth for over 100 years. As a leading multinational in sustainable mobility, the company continues to deliver solutions ranging from economical platforms to high-end technological systems.
Today, Alstom stands as a pivotal partner in India’s rail revolution, helping modernise freight corridors and strengthen passenger rail services.
