Visakhapatnam to anchor maintenance network for freight locomotives

Visakhapatnam: The port cityis set to emerge as a key hub in Indian railways’ freight modernisation drive with the recent inauguration of the first maintenance depot for 9000 HP electric locomotives, laying the foundation for a nationwide four-depot network. The project is being executed under a long-term availability-based lifecycle partnership model, covering the design, manufacturing, commissioning, and 35 years of full-service maintenance. Locomotives are being manufactured at the Indian railways’ factory in Dahod, Gujarat, while maintenance will be undertaken at depots in Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Kharagpur, and Pune, supporting sustained performance and high fleet availability.Indian railways recently marked a significant milestone with the commencement of commercial operations of 9000 horsepower (HP) electric freight locomotives. Designed for heavy-haul freight operations, the D9 electric locomotives of 9000 HP represent one of the most powerful freight locomotives deployed in the world with speeds of up to 120 km/h.Sunil Mathur, managing director and chief executive officer, Siemens Limited, said that it is a proud moment for Siemens as a long-standing and trusted partner of Indian Railways. “The successful handover of the electric locomotives sets a new benchmark in rail modernisation, enabled by a pioneering partnership and a robust lifecycle business model. It reflects the strength of collaboration between Indian Railways and Siemens and stands as a testament to the manufacturing and engineering excellence of the people who made this achievement possible, embodying the spirit of ‘Viksit Bharat’,” said Mathur.The commencement of commercial operations follows a record execution timeline, with the locomotives entering commercial operations within 36 months from the contract date, one of the fastest deliveries for a project of this scale in the Indian rail sector.Approximately 90% of the locomotive technologies are made in India, reinforcing Indian Railways’ and Siemens’ shared commitment to ‘Make in India’ and the development of a strong domestic rail manufacturing ecosystem. The project has also contributed to capability building across Indian suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and skilled talent.