(MENAFN- KNN India) Gandhinagar, May 26 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new locomotive manufacturing facility for Indian Railways in Dahod, Gujarat, on Monday.

The ceremony included the flagging off of the first electric locomotive produced at the plant, marking a significant milestone for the country's railway manufacturing capabilities.

The facility has been designed to manufacture 9000 horsepower electric locomotives intended for both domestic use and export markets.

These locomotives are expected to enhance the freight loading capacity of Indian Railways, supporting the transportation of goods across the country's rail network.

Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, noted the rapid development timeline of the project.

The foundation stone for the Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop was laid in 2022, with the facility reaching full operational status within three years.

The workshop has been engineered with an annual production capacity of 120 locomotives, with the potential to scale up to 150 units per year based on market demand.

The Prime Minister's visit to Gujarat spans two days, from May 26 to 27, during which he will launch multiple development projects across Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar.

The combined value of these initiatives, encompassing major railway projects and various state government programs, exceeds Rs 24,000 crore.

The locomotive manufacturing facility represents an investment of Rs 21,405 crore by the Railway Ministry. The first 9000 HP locomotive engine, developed under the 'Make in India' initiative, was formally dedicated to the nation during the inauguration ceremony.

Additional railway infrastructure projects worth Rs 2,287 crore were also inaugurated, including the doubling of railway lines between Anand-Godhra, Mehsana-Palanpur, and Rajkot-Hadmatiya.

The program also encompasses the electrification of 107 kilometers of the Sabarmati-Botad railway line and the gauge conversion of the Kalol-Kadi-Katosan railway line. The total value of railway-related projects amounts to Rs 23,692 crore.

The Dahod production facility is projected to generate employment opportunities for 10,000 individuals, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Each locomotive manufactured at the plant will have the capacity to haul 4,600 tonnes of cargo. The facility aims to produce approximately 1,200 locomotive engines over the next decade, contributing to India's railway modernisation efforts.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN26052025000155011030ID1109596489