French rail manufacturer Alstom is seeking a follow-on order for 200 additional electric freight locomotives from Indian Railways, as the company approaches completion of its existing 800-locomotive contract at the Madhepura manufacturing facility in Bihar.
The proposed order would extend Alstom’s manufacturing programme at Madhepura beyond the current contract, which covers 800 high-powered electric freight locomotives. Deliveries under the existing agreement are scheduled to be completed by March 2028, and discussions are already under way with Indian Railways regarding additional supplies.
Vivek Garg, managing director of Madhepura Electric Locomotive Pvt Ltd (MELPL), said the company is in discussions with the national transporter for the additional 200 locomotives. MELPL was established in 2015 as a joint venture between Alstom and Indian Railways to manufacture and maintain high-horsepower electric freight locomotives.
The Madhepura plant produces 12,000-horsepower, double-section Prima T8 locomotives, designated WAG-12B by Indian Railways. These locomotives are designed for heavy-haul freight operations and can haul approximately 6,000-tonne rakes at speeds of up to 120 kmph.
Alstom has already made significant progress in localising production. Around 90% of the locomotive is currently sourced domestically, with wheels and axles remaining the principal imported components, according to Garg. The company is therefore exploring opportunities to further increase domestic sourcing.
MELPL is in discussions with Ramkrishna Forgings for potential domestic wheel supplies. The company has also been engaging with upcoming wheel-manufacturing facilities in India. Alstom expects a fresh 200-unit order to provide greater certainty for suppliers and encourage further investment in local component manufacturing.
Greater localisation could also benefit the long-term maintenance ecosystem. Wheels and axles are wear components that require periodic replacement, creating recurring demand beyond the initial locomotive manufacturing programme. MELPL already has maintenance contracts covering the existing fleet.
The Madhepura project represents one of the major foreign-investment initiatives in India’s railway manufacturing sector. The original 800-locomotive programme was awarded to Alstom in 2015 under a contract worth more than €3 billion, covering locomotive production as well as long-term maintenance.
Alstom delivered its 500th electric locomotive from Madhepura in March 2025, marking a major milestone in the programme. The project has progressively strengthened India’s domestic capability to manufacture high-powered electric freight locomotives and supports the country’s broader push toward modernising freight transportation.
The company is also evaluating opportunities to introduce newer technologies at the Madhepura facility. According to Garg, the existing contract allows Indian Railways to request modifications to locomotive specifications. Alstom has expertise in hydrogen and battery-powered rail technologies, opening potential opportunities for future applications in India.
A 200-locomotive follow-on order would therefore not only extend production at Madhepura but could also support deeper localisation of components, strengthen India’s railway supply chain and sustain manufacturing and maintenance activity at the facility beyond the completion of the current 800-unit programme.