Indian Railways invited bids for the contract earlier this year, with two firms – Siemens and Alstom – coming out on top. Siemens provided the more cost-effective option – at US$1.7bn – according to reports.
The electric locomotives will boast horsepower of 9,000 and will be able to travel up to 120km per hour. They are part of Indian Railways’ project to upgrade its electric locomotives from 6,000hp to enhance hauling capabilities.
The new locomotives are set to be manufactured at Indian Railways’ Dahod workshop in Gujarat, which is currently being upgraded to an electric locomotive manufacturing unit.
According to Indian media firm, Swarajya, the 1,200 locomotives will be manufactured at the Dahod facility between 2023 and 2034, with the first locomotives rolling out by mid-2024. The successful bidder will supply five locomotives in the first year and 35 in the second year. As many as 80 locomotives will be supplied per annum in the third and fourth years.
The production will be increased to 100 locomotives per annum in the fifth and the sixth year. Thereafter 160 locomotives will be manufactured per annum for five years till 2033-34.
Indian Railways is currently undertaking a significant electrification program across its network. It aims to electrify 100% of its board gauge line by 2024.