Alstom Secures €62M Maintenance Contract for WAG-12B Fleet, Bolstering India’s Green Freight Push

SABARMATI, INDIA – Alstom has secured a €62 million contract to maintain 300 of Indian Railways’ high-powered WAG-12B electric freight locomotives, reinforcing its commitment to India’s rail modernization and green freight transition. The agreement, which extends a landmark 2015 partnership, will be executed at the Sabarmati depot and includes an extensive skills development program for over 22,000 railway personnel.

The contract, awarded to Alstom’s joint venture with Indian Railways, covers comprehensive maintenance for the final 300 units of an 800-locomotive order. The services, running until February 2031, encompass both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, remote diagnostics, material supply, and logistics. To ensure maximum operational availability, Alstom will deploy Prompt Response Teams at strategic points across the network, equipped with specialized tools and spares to address issues rapidly and minimise downtime.

The Prima T8 WAG-12B is the most powerful locomotive in Indian Railways’ fleet and a cornerstone of its freight strategy. Each double-section, 12,000-horsepower unit is designed for heavy-haul operations, capable of pulling loads up to 6,000 tonnes. These advanced electric locomotives are engineered for enhanced efficiency and sustainability, playing a critical role in decarbonizing freight by replacing older diesel traction. Their deployment is central to increasing speed and capacity on India’s Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), enabling the country to move goods more efficiently and with a significantly lower carbon footprint.

This maintenance agreement is a strategic extension of the original €3.5 billion contract signed in 2015, one of the largest foreign direct investments in India’s railway sector. The new contract for the Sabarmati depot complements Alstom’s existing state-of-the-art maintenance facilities in Saharanpur and Nagpur, which service the initial 500 locomotives. This long-term commitment aligns with India’s broader ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiatives, which see domestic manufacturing, such as BHEL’s production of key components for Vande Bharat trains, running parallel to strategic global partnerships that bring in advanced technology and operational expertise.

Key Takeaways

• Strengthened Partnership: The €62M contract deepens the long-term strategic partnership between Alstom and Indian Railways, focusing on lifecycle support and operational excellence.
• Operational Backbone: Ensures high availability and reliability for 300 WAG-12B locomotives, which are vital for the capacity and efficiency of India’s freight network.
• Massive Skill Development: The agreement continues a significant training initiative, aiming to upskill more than 22,000 Indian Railways staff in modern locomotive maintenance and diagnostics.

Editor’s Analysis

This maintenance contract is more than a simple service agreement; it represents a critical step in safeguarding India’s multi-billion-euro investment in freight modernization. By locking in a long-term maintenance plan, Indian Railways ensures the high-performance WAG-12B fleet will deliver on its promise of transforming freight logistics with high availability and reliability. For Alstom, this solidifies its role not just as a hardware supplier but as an indispensable operational partner in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing rail markets. This move exemplifies a global trend where long-term service and support contracts are becoming as crucial as the initial equipment sale, ensuring sustainable performance and maximizing return on investment for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WAG-12B locomotive?

The WAG-12B, part of Alstom’s Prima T8 family, is a 12,000-horsepower, double-section electric locomotive designed for heavy-haul freight. It is the most powerful locomotive in India, capable of hauling 6,000-tonne loads, and is a key asset in modernizing the country’s freight operations.

What does the Alstom maintenance contract cover?

The contract includes scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, material supply, logistics, remote diagnostics, and the deployment of Prompt Response Teams to ensure rapid issue resolution. It aims to meet strict availability and reliability targets for 300 locomotives at the Sabarmati depot until 2031.

How does this contract support India’s green initiatives?

By ensuring the WAG-12B electric locomotives remain in peak operating condition, the contract directly supports India’s green freight transition. These locomotives replace diesel-powered engines, drastically reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the decarbonization of the country’s transportation sector.