10 March 2018 - Alstom announced the
completion of its first all-electric locomotive from its state-of-the-art
locomotive facility at Madhepura in the State of Bihar [1],
on schedule. In line with the Government’s and Indian Railways’ target towards
100% electrification and towards sustainable mobility, these new locomotives
will not only bring down operating costs for the Railways but will significantly
cut down greenhouse gas emissions as well.
This first locomotive is part of a €3.5 billion order comprising 800
electric double-section locomotives signed in 2015 which contributes to the
Ministry of Railways’ public-private partnership programme to modernise the
country’s rail infrastructure. This agreement remains the largest Foreign
Direct Investment in the railways sector to date and has a strategic role in
creating a multiplier effect on the economy. This contract is also one of the
biggest contracts in the history of Alstom.
“Our operations in India are paramount to our business
globally and we continue to stay committed todeveloping India’s infrastructure
needs, improving the quality of services to citizens and investing in the
nation’s economy,” said Henri-Poupart Lafarge, Chairman and CEO, Alstom.
Further commenting
on the completion of the first electric locomotive, he added,“This project stands as a shining example of
Alstom’s commitment to ‘Make in India’. Apart from creating thousands of jobs
directly and indirectly, we have created a strong localised supply chain for
this project, with 90% of the components for the prototype sourced locally.”
Thanks to its
12,000 horsepower, each double section locomotive, part of Alstom’s Prima
locomotives family, has a hauling capacity of 6,000 tonnes and speed of
120km/hr, allowing faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains across
the country, thereby reducing congestion for passenger train services and
freight. Equipped with IGBT based propulsion technology[2],
these locomotives will be compliant with Indian standards of freight transport
and will have the ability to endure tough Indian climate and conditions. The
locomotives were developed with the support of 6 Alstom sites in France:
Belfort for the 6 first car bodyshells, and Ornans for the motors, Tarbes for
the traction, Le Creusot for bogies, Villeurbanne for the train control
monitoring systems and Saint-Ouen for the design.
In another significant development, Alstom announced three new contracts
worth approximately €75 million - power supply contract from the Mumbai Metro
Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), contract for new train sets from Chennai Metro
Rail Corporation and another power supply contract from Jaipur Metro Rail
Corporation. This development shows Alstom’s growing footprint in the country,
in both the urban space as well as the mainline space.
Additionally, phase 1 in the construction of the electric locomotive
facility at Madhepura and the depot at Saharanpur is complete and work is
progressing as per the contractual timelines. To give skilling and local hiring
an impetus, focused efforts towards nurturing young minds in communities in and
around Madhepura have been initiated. With the help of local NGOs, Alstom
Foundation is working to foster better health care, education and dignified
livelihood in the area.
About
Alstom
As
a promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom develops and markets systems,
equipment and services for the transport sector. Alstom offers a complete range
of solutions (from high-speed trains to metros, tramways and e-buses),
passenger solutions, customised services (maintenance, modernisation),
infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility solutions. Alstom is a world
leader in integrated transport systems. The company recorded sales of €7.3
billion and booked €10.0 billion of orders in the 2016/17 fiscal year.
Headquartered in France, Alstom is present in over 60 countries and employs
32,800 people.
[2] An insulated-gate bipolar transistor
(IGBT) is a three-terminal power
semiconductor device primarily used as an electronic switch which combines high
efficiency and fast switching.
PS: for Kolkata people, let me know you that in 1990 Alstom undertook signalling for Kolkata Metro. Check out Alstom's website: http://www.alstom.com/india/
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