Umair Gaines
India has several electric locomotive manufacturers, including Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), which is the largest locomotive manufacturer in the world, producing 700 locomotives in the FY 2024-25 period. CLW was established in 1950 and initially produced steam locomotives, but now manufactures modern, high-power electric locomotives. Another manufacturer is the Electrical Locomotive Factory in Madhepura, a joint venture between Alstom SA of France and Indian Railways, which aims to produce 800 high-power locomotives over 11 years. In May 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the country's first 9000 HP electric locomotive engine, which was manufactured at Dahod's loco workshop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electric locomotive manufacturers in India | Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), Banaras Locomotive Works, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), BHEL, Electrical Locomotive Factory (Madhepura), Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop |
| Chittaranjan Locomotive Works location | Chittaranjan in the Asansol Sadar subdivision of West Bengal, with an ancillary unit in Dankuni |
| Chittaranjan Locomotive Works stores and offices | Kolkata |
| Chittaranjan Locomotive Works inspection cells | New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore |
| Chittaranjan Locomotive Works installed capacity | 6,000 tons for steel castings for locomotives, about 1,000 tons for track |
| Chittaranjan Locomotive Works production | Started in 1961, produced 700 locomotives in FY 2024-25, first manufacturer in India to manufacture a 3-phase GTO Thyristor-controlled electric locomotive |
| Banaras Locomotive Works | Second locomotive manufacturing unit operated by Indian Railways, established in 1961 |
| Integral Coach Factory location | Chennai |
| Integral Coach Factory production | Started developing self-propelled Electric multiple units for short-haul and local routes in the 1960s, rolled out a semi-high-speed self-propelled train set capable of reaching speeds of over 160 km/h in 2018 |
| BHEL production | Developed AC-DC dual-use EMUs capable of running on 25kV AC and 1.5 kV DC traction lines |
| Electrical Locomotive Factory (Madhepura) | Joint venture of Alstom SA of France with Indian Railways, awarded the contract in November 2015, manufacturing 800 high-power locomotives over 11 years designed to run at 120 km/h |
| Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop | Unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025, foundation stone laid in 2022, built with an investment of Rs 21,405 crore, manufacturing 9000 HP electric locomotives |
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What You'll Learn
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW)
The company was established on 26 January 1950 and started production activity on the day the country became a republic. Initially, the company produced steam locomotives, but over the years it transitioned to manufacturing diesel and electrical locomotives of different types. CLW has been named after the freedom fighter, leader, and statesman Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. The nearby Mihijam Station was also renamed Chittaranjan.
CLW has upgraded its locomotives to produce 6000 hp and achieve speeds of 160 km/h. It became the first manufacturer in India to produce a 3-phase GTO Thyristor-controlled electric locomotive. The first WAG-9 series locomotive, the first indigenous 6000 hp freight electric locomotive, was rolled out on 14 November 1988. In FY 2024-25, it produced 700 locomotives, surpassing the United States and Europe.
The company has received recognition for its environmental conservation efforts, winning the Golden Peacock Award for Environment Management in 2006. It has also been awarded the Safety Innovation Award in 2006 and 2009 by India's Institute of Engineers.
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Banaras Locomotive Works
India's railway system is operated by Indian Railways, which maintains over 108,706 km (67,547 mi) of tracks and runs over 13,000 trains daily with a fleet of more than 14,800 locomotives. The railways primarily operate a fleet of electric and diesel locomotives, with a few compressed natural gas (CNG) locomotives.
Other notable locomotive manufacturers in India include Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), the first Indian Railway locomotive company, which began manufacturing in 1950; and the Electrical Locomotive Factory in Madhepura, a joint venture between Alstom SA of France and Indian Railways, which started manufacturing in 2017.
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Electric Locomotive Factory, Madhepura
The Electric Locomotive Factory in Madhepura, Bihar, is a joint venture between the French company Alstom SA and Indian Railways. The factory was established to manufacture 800 high-power locomotives over 11 years, designed to run on Indian tracks at 120 km/hour. The first locomotive was delivered in October 2017, and the 50th was delivered by December 2020. As of March 2025, Alstom has delivered 500 electric locomotives to Indian Railways, with the 500th locomotive flagged off from the Madhepura site.
The Madhepura project was awarded to Alstom in November 2015, along with the Marhowra project, which was awarded to General Electric. The total cost of the two projects was USD 6 billion, with Alstom's share being €3.5 billion. The ground-breaking ceremony for the factory was held in March 2016, and construction began in July 2016, taking three years to complete. The plant was ready for production from 2019.
The Madhepura locomotive factory is expected to be a significant contributor to the development of the region, with the potential to generate direct and indirect employment. According to Alstom India Managing Director Bharat Salhotra, the project started with 150 employees and could employ up to 500 people. The factory has a capacity of 275 acres of land and is located on the banks of the river Kosi, a tributary of the Ganges.
The Electric Locomotive Factory in Madhepura has been an important step in modernising India's railway infrastructure, enhancing freight efficiency, and supporting economic growth. The locomotives produced at the factory have a capacity of 12,000 HP and are designed to support the country's ambitious freight transportation goals.
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Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop
The Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop, located in Gujarat, is a significant addition to India's railway industry. The foundation stone of this workshop was laid in 2022, and within just three years, the facility was completed and ready for production. This rapid development marks a crucial milestone in the country's "Make in India" program.
The Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop is a joint venture between GHV and MHK, with an investment of Rs 21,405 crore. The factory is designed to produce high horsepower electric locomotives, capable of transporting 4,600 tonnes of freight. The initial plan is to manufacture around 1,200 engines over the next decade, with an annual production capacity of 120 locomotives, which can be increased to 150 units based on market demand.
The Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop is expected to generate numerous job opportunities, including 3,500 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs. This will not only boost the economy but also contribute to the development of the region. The workshop will also play a vital role in the periodic overhaul of wagons, MEMU, and DEMU trains, ensuring the smooth operation of India's vast railway network.
The inauguration of the Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop was a momentous occasion, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling Indian Railways' first 9,000 HP locomotive engine. This event highlighted the country's commitment to the "Make in India" initiative and showcased the potential for complete indigenisation of manufacturing processes. The Dahod factory is Gujarat's first railway manufacturing unit and India's fourth, joining the ranks of established locomotive works in Chittaranjan, Banaras, and Patiala.
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Integral Coach Factory-Chennai (ICF)
ICF consists of two main divisions: the shell division and the furnishing division. The shell division consists of 14 individual units and manufactures the skeleton of the rail coach. Various parts that form the shell are fabricated and integrated to form a single structure that is placed on wheel sets. The furnishing division consists of eight individual units and is responsible for interior furnishing, exterior painting, and electrical equipment.
In the 1960s, ICF started developing self-propelled Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) for short-haul and local routes. In 2015, the first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trains were rolled out by ICF. In 2018, a semi-high-speed self-propelled train set, capable of reaching speeds of over 160 km/h, was rolled out from ICF. In 2019, ICF rolled out three-phase AC units to replace conventional DC units.
ICF manufactures more than 170 varieties of coaches, including ICF coaches, LHB coaches, Metro coaches, EMUs, DMUs, and MEMUs. The factory had an installed capacity of 350 units per annum in 1955, which increased to 4166 coaches in 2019-2020. ICF also exports railway coaches to other countries and has exported 875 bogies and coaches to over 13 Afro-Asian countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric locomotives are manufactured in several places in India, including Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) in West Bengal, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, and Dahod in Gujarat.
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) is an electric locomotive manufacturer based in India. It is located in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, and is named after the freedom fighter Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. CLW is the largest locomotive manufacturer in the world and has been producing electric locomotives since 1961.
Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai started developing self-propelled Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) for short-haul and local routes in the 1960s. In 2015, ICF rolled out the first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trains in India, and in 2018, they introduced a semi-high-speed train set capable of reaching speeds of over 160 km/h.
In 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first of Indian Railways' new 9000 HP electric locomotives, known as the D9. These locomotives are a part of the ''Make in India' program and are expected to revolutionize rail freight transport in the country while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
