Marhowrah diesel locomotive factory (DLF) in Saran district has secured the first export order worth about Rs 2,000 crore to manufacture 140 evolution series ES43ACmi diesel locomotives for Republic of Guinea in West Africa. This achievement underscores India’s growing capabilities in the global locomotive market as well as boost of railway manufacturing sector.
The contract was awarded to Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited—a joint venture between Indian Railways and the US-based Wabtec Corporation. The Marhowrah plant, set up in 2018, has been producing state-of-the-art locomotives for Indian Railways and is now expanding its operations to meet international demands.
The ES43ACmi locomotives, featuring a 4,500 hp evolution series engine, are renowned for their fuel efficiency and performance in high-temperature environment, making them well-suited for the climatic conditions in Republic of Guinea. Production for this export order is set to commence in 2025, with deliveries scheduled to begin from June onwards, he said, adding the deadline to export all the required 140 locomotives will be March 2028.
This development aligns with country’s “Make in India” and “Make for the World” initiatives, as well as the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, aiming to position India as a global hub for manufacturing and export. According to sources, the successful execution of this contract will not only strengthen bilateral ties between India and Republic of Guinea, but it will also pave the way for future international collaborations in the railway sector. The railways is having its 27% share in this joint venture, with the factory capacity to produce 100 diesel locomotives per year.
