Prime Minister Narendra Modi Flags Off India’s First 9000 HP Electric Locomotive

Dahod, India: Marking a transformative moment for Indian Railways, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the first D9 – 9000 HP electric locomotive from the newly built Indian Railways’ factory in Dahod on Saturday. This next-generation locomotive is part of a historic ₹26,000 crore contract awarded to Siemens for manufacturing and maintaining 1,200 high-horsepower electric freight locomotives.

The project stands as a major achievement under the Government of India's Make in India initiative. Nearly 90% of the technologies and components used in these locomotives are domestically sourced, with critical components manufactured at Siemens’ plants in Nashik, Aurangabad, and Mumbai. The final assembly, testing, and commissioning are being executed at the state-of-the-art Dahod facility, built in record time of under two years.

The Dahod plant features advanced technology including Virtual Reality-based safety training, locomotive simulators, and loco-shunters for precision movement, setting a new benchmark for railway manufacturing infrastructure in India.

Game-Changer for Freight Movement

Each 9000 HP electric locomotive is capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h and hauling loads of up to 5,800 tons, making them ideal for India’s long-haul freight corridors. Siemens will also provide lifetime maintenance support for 35 years, ensuring peak operational efficiency through the Railigent X platform for predictive maintenance.

Voices of Industry

Sunil Mathur, MD & CEO of Siemens Limited, emphasized the significance of this development:

“The introduction of these advanced locomotives is crucial to realizing the Government of India’s aspiration to elevate railways' share in freight movement from 27% to 45%. This is a commendable achievement for both Indian Railways and Siemens.”

Adding to the industry sentiment, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said:

“The flag-off of India’s first 9000 HP electric locomotive is not only a technological triumph but a pivotal step towards sustainable and high-capacity freight movement. With modern propulsion, smart maintenance, and green innovation at its core, this locomotive redefines the future of Indian freight rail. It reflects India's readiness to lead in global rail technology.”

The 9000 HP locomotives are equipped with Kavach, India’s indigenous safety system, and feature green propulsion to reduce carbon emissions. Over their operational lifecycle, these locomotives are expected to help eliminate nearly 800 million tons of CO₂ emissions, further aligning with India’s climate goals.