Alstom received a Letter of Award from the Ministry of Railways to supply Indian Railways with 800 double-section freight electric locomotives, with associated long-term maintenance. The total contract is worth about $3.2 billion and includes the set-up of a plant at Madhepura (Bihar state) and two maintenance depots at Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh state) and Nagpur (Maharashtra state).

The delivery of the locomotives will spread between 2018 and 2028.

The project, one of the strongest endorsements of the “Make in India” policy of the government, will play a crucial role in boosting the infrastructure development in the country. The 100% Foreign Direct Investment in the railway sector allowed by the Government has provided a renewed push to the Indian mainline railway sector.

The Prima locomotive for India Railways will be 9,000 kW at the wheel rim and will run at a speed up to 74 miles per hour. This contract positions Alstom as the number one on heavy-haul electric locomotives segment with now over 1,200 double locomotives ordered for the last decade.