Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the creation of 9,000 Horsepower (HP) electric locomotives at a railway manufacturing complex in Gujrath’s Dahod on Wednesday evening.

Indian Railways' Dahod Workshop is scheduled to become a production plant for High Horsepower 9,000 HP Electric Locomotives after selecting a technological partner through a bidding process as part of the government's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives.

Indian Railways expects to invest more than Rs 20,000 crore to manufacture 1,200 high-horsepower 9,000-horsepower locomotives.

"Early in 2024, the first locomotive will be turned out. This project will boost the “Make in India” and the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” Programme. These locomotives will play a critical role in changing the country's freight movement," the Railways noted.

These high-horsepower locomotives will aid in the decongestion of congested railroad tracks by increasing freight train average speeds and loading capacity. It will be capable of hauling a 4,500-tonne cargo load at a top speed of 120 kilometres per hour. These locomotives will revolutionise cargo train movement.

Through training and supervision by a technology partner, this new project will assist in improving the technical skills of existing staff.  It would contribute to the region's development by creating 3,500 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs. Broad Gauge electric locomotives for Indian Railways and Standard Gauge electric locomotives for export will be produced at the Dahod workshop.

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