Siemens Limited has delivered the first set of 9,000-horsepower electric locomotives to Indian Railways for commercial operations, marking a major step in freight modernisation.
These D9 locomotives, designed for high-capacity freight movement, can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h and rank among the most powerful freight engines in global rail operations. They are also the first rolling stock in India to be tested and certified under the European standard EN 14363.
The project has moved quickly, with the locomotives entering service within 36 months of the contract being awarded, reflecting one of the faster large-scale rail manufacturing timelines in the country.
Manufacturing is being carried out at the Dahod facility in Gujarat. Supporting maintenance infrastructure is being established across Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Kharagpur, and Pune, with the Visakhapatnam depot already operational.
The agreement is structured as a long-term partnership that includes design, production, and 35 years of maintenance support to ensure long-term reliability and performance.
A significant portion of the components—around 90 percent—has been sourced locally, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Siemens Limited Managing Director and CEO Sunil Mathur described the development as a milestone in rail modernisation, highlighting the collaboration with Indian Railways and the company’s long-term lifecycle approach to infrastructure.
The locomotives are also equipped with digital systems such as Railigent X, enabling predictive maintenance, improved operational safety, and greater energy efficiency.
