The French train manufacturer Alstom is discussing with Indian Railways the possibility of receiving an additional order for 200 electric locomotives for its manufacturing complex in Madhepura, Bihar. Furthermore, the company uses this site to produce other railway products, a senior company official reported.
Vivek Garg, Managing Director of Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL) from Alstom, told PTI that the initial order for 800 electric freight locomotives will be completed by March 2028. In 2015, Indian Railways and Alstom established a joint venture to manufacture 800 electric locomotives in Madhepura, Bihar.
Garg noted that the company has already delivered 650 locomotives from the Madhepura facility, and the land was leased for 35 years. He added that the land will remain under the company's control until 2048–49, and its equipment and factory will continue to operate.
According to Garg, the contract stipulates the right for Indian Railways to place an order for another 200 locomotives. He also specified that under the agreement, Indian Railways and Alstom can use this facility to produce any rail-related goods. However, Garg emphasized that discussions with Indian Railways regarding the best use of the complex are ongoing, and a final decision has not yet been made.
The Ministry of Railways owns 26 percent of the joint venture MELPL. Alstom develops and implements systems, equipment, and services for the railway sector and is a global leader in integrated railway systems.
According to a new independent socio-economic impact study conducted in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet, the electric locomotive project under the 'Make in India' initiative contributed a total national economic output of 60,000 crore rupees during the financial years 2020–26. The report stated that the electric locomotive manufacturing plant in Madhepura, operated by MELPL, contributed 1 percent to the state's aggregate GST for the financial year 2024.
