Made in Bihar Locomotives to Drive Africa’s Largest Mining Railway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Made in Bihar diesel locomotive export from Bihar’s Marhowrah Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) to Africa’s Guinea on Friday. This is a major milestone for both India and Bihar ahead of the 2025 assembly elections.
This delivery is a part of a ₹3,000-crore deal under which 150 Locomotives are to shipped to Guinea for SimFer’s Simandou iron ore project. It is going to become Africa’s largest mining project and Made in Bihar locomotives are a representation of how Bihar’s railway manufacturing capabilities are now powering the world.
We have covered everything about the export of these Made in Bihar locomotives to Guinea in this article including the manufacturing details, export timeline, specifications and employment generated. You can use the following Table of Contents to navigate as per your preference:
Table of Contents
₹3000 Crore Contract for DLF Marworah
The contract was secured via an competitive bidding process held internationally. It was awarded to Wabtec Locomotive Private Ltd which a joint venture between Indian Railways and the US-based Wabtec Corporation. This strengths our “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. Along with that, it also showcases Bihar’s role as a contributor in India’s export economy.
These Made in Bihar locomotives are tailored for one of the most ambitious infrastructure in West Africa i.e. the SimFer’s Simandou project.The project is aimed at improving freight movement of Guinea’s iron ore.
Export Timeline for the 150 Locomotives
The Indian Railways has announced that these Made in Bihar locomotives will be manufactured and delivered in phases scheduled over three financial years:
- 37 locomotives will be exported in the current financial year (2025–26)
- 82 locomotives are scheduled for delivery in FY 2026–27
- 31 locomotives will be dispatched in the third and final year
This structured schedule is made to ensure consistent manufacturing and quality checks in the complete export process by not overburdening the DLF with the total 150 locomotives. The Made in Bihar label will be present on every batch of production and will be a clear demonstration of engeneering quality at Bihar’s factory.
Specifications of the Locomotives
The locomotives which will be exported to Africa are part of the Evolution Series (ES43ACmi) which is globally known for its high-performance and optimal efficiency. The key specifications of these Made in Bihar locomotives are given below :
- Horsepower: 4,500 HP
- Propulsion: AC propulsion system
- Braking System: Regenerative braking for enhanced energy efficiency
- Control: Fully microprocessor-based intelligent control system
- Cab Design: Single AC cab for each locomotive
- Load Capacity: Two locomotives can load up to 100 loaded wagons
This export batch is to set a new benchmark for Made in Bihar locomotives and are focused on meeting the international standards in design, durability, and technology.
About the Manufacturing Facility in Marhowrah
Initially, the Marhowrah Diesel Locomotive Factory in Bihar’s Saran district was proposed by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad but it became operational in 2018. It is across 70 acres and can build more than 100 locomotives per year.
To meet the international standards, the DLF is equipped with three types of track gauges:
- Broad Gauge
- Standard Gauge
- Cape Gauge
These three types of track gauges make the factory capable of making locomotives compatible with railway networks across the world, including Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. It is one of the rare global examples where locomotives are made for such a variety of gauges.
Employment Generated
The project has already generated significant employment opportunities:
- 285 individuals got directly employed at the Marhowrah factory
- 1,215 people were employed indirectly in services and supply chain
- Over 2,100 jobs were created nationwide through the Wabtec–Indian Railways joint venture
Conclusion
The achievements of the Diesel Locomotive Factory at Marhowrah could help change Bihar’s image as a powerful manufacturing centre that aligns with the global standards.
If have want to get the details of PM Modi’s 20th June Bihar visit where he will be flagging off the locomotives to Africa, you can check out previous article here.
I’m a final-year engineering student with a deep interest in current affairs, politics, and international issues. Writing news is my part-time passion, where I focus on sharing credible and well-researched stories. Every article I publish is backed by verified sources and multiple levels of fact-checking to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness.
