The Indian Railway Ministry today announced that the Marhowrah railway locomotive factory in Bihar will supply 150 advanced locomotives, valued at over Rs 3,000 crore, to SimFer for its Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, Africa. This significant export order, secured through global competitive bidding, underscores India’s growing manufacturing prowess on the international stage.
The dispatch schedule includes 37 locomotives in the current fiscal year, followed by 82 in the next, and the remaining 31 in the third year. These state-of-the-art locomotives feature air-conditioned cabins, best-in-class emission standards, fire detection systems, and ergonomic crew amenities such as refrigerators, microwaves, and waterless toilets. Equipped with Distributed Power Wireless Control System (DPWCS), they enable synchronized operations for superior freight handling, capable of pulling 100 wagons at maximum permissible speeds.
This project not only highlights the Marhowrah factory as a global hub for locomotive exports, strengthening local employment and technological capabilities, but also deepens economic cooperation between India and Africa by contributing to critical infrastructure development for Guinea’s largest iron ore project. The initiative is a testament to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision, fostering innovation and quality manufacturing while directly employing 285 individuals and indirectly supporting over 1,200 more, with an additional 2,100 working across the country for the joint venture.
