Alstom Wins €62M India Deal: Powers Freight Corridor Locos

NEW DELHI, India – Alstom, through its joint venture with Indian Railways, has secured a significant €62 million contract to maintain 300 Prima T8 (WAG-12B) electric locomotives at the new Sabarmati depot. This five-year agreement expands Alstom’s maintenance footprint in India and is crucial for ensuring the operational reliability of the powerful 12,000 hp freight locomotives, a cornerstone of the nation’s Dedicated Freight Corridor strategy.

Main Body:

The contract was awarded to Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), the joint venture between Alstom and Indian Railways, to service the final 300 units of the landmark 800-locomotive order placed in 2015. The scope of work at the Sabarmati depot is comprehensive, covering all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities until February 2031 to meet stringent availability and reliability targets. This includes the supply of materials, logistics, remote diagnostics, and locomotive washing, complementing the existing maintenance operations for the first 500 units at depots in Saharanpur and Nagpur. As part of Alstom’s FlexCare Perform service offering, the agreement also includes the deployment of Prompt Response Teams (PRTs) at strategic locations to minimize downtime.

The Prima T8, designated as WAG-12B by Indian Railways, is a technological powerhouse engineered to transform India’s freight logistics. These double-section locomotives boast a formidable 12,000 horsepower, enabling them to haul 6,000-tonne freight trains at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. This capability is projected to increase the average speed of freight trains in India by approximately 25 km/h, a critical factor for the efficiency of the new Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs). Equipped with advanced IGBT propulsion technology and regenerative braking, the locomotives not only deliver immense power but also offer significant energy savings, aligning with India’s green mobility initiatives.

This maintenance agreement is the latest chapter in a long-term strategic partnership that began with a €3.5 billion contract in 2015 for the supply of 800 high-power electric locomotives. The first WAG-12B entered commercial service in May 2020, marking a pivotal moment in the modernization of India’s rail freight sector. Beyond the hardware, the project has included a massive skills development component, with Alstom having already trained over 22,000 Indian Railways employees. The establishment of the Sabarmati maintenance depot ensures end-to-end lifecycle support for one of the world’s most powerful and advanced freight locomotive fleets.

Key Takeaways

• Strengthened Partnership: The €62 million contract deepens Alstom’s role from manufacturer to a full lifecycle support partner for Indian Railways’ most advanced freight assets.
• DFC Enabler: Ensuring high operational availability for the WAG-12B fleet is critical for realizing the full economic and logistical potential of India’s Dedicated Freight Corridors.
• Sustainable Logistics: The agreement supports India’s transition to greener freight transport by maintaining a fleet that significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to diesel alternatives and boosts carrying capacity.

Editor’s Analysis

This contract is more than a standard service agreement; it is a strategic anchor for Alstom in the burgeoning Indian rail market. By securing the maintenance for the entire 800-unit fleet of its flagship Prima T8 locomotives, Alstom solidifies a long-term revenue stream and cements its technology as a core component of India’s freight modernization. For the global rail industry, this project serves as a powerful case study in executing a successful large-scale public-private partnership (PPP) that spans manufacturing, technology transfer, and long-term maintenance. It highlights a critical industry trend where rolling stock manufacturers are increasingly evolving into integrated service providers, offering comprehensive solutions that guarantee performance and reliability over the asset’s entire lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Prima T8 (WAG-12B) locomotive?
It is a 12,000 hp double-section electric locomotive built by Alstom for Indian Railways, designed to haul heavy freight trains of up to 6,000 tonnes at speeds of 120 km/h.

What does the new maintenance contract cover?
The €62 million, five-year contract covers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, material supply, logistics, remote diagnostics, and prompt response teams for 300 WAG-12B locomotives at the Sabarmati depot.

Why is this project important for Indian Railways?
These locomotives are central to modernizing India’s freight network, particularly on the Dedicated Freight Corridors. They increase hauling capacity, speed, and energy efficiency, supporting India’s economic and environmental goals.