With 1,400 Locomotives In A Year, India’s Locomotive Production Surpasses USA & Europe

Indian Railways (IR) has achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new global record in locomotive production. With about 1,400 locomotives produced this year, the national transporter has surpassed the combined output of the United States and Europe. The national transporter has set a new international standard, displaying the growth and innovation of India’s rail sector. Read on to learn all about it!

Indian Railways Sets Global Record In Locomotive Production

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made this announcement in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the scale of this achievement. According to the ET Now reports, he stated, “Locomotive production has reached 1,400 per year. If we combine the production of the USA and Europe, India’s locomotive production still surpasses them.”

These locomotives are manufactured across several key production units, including the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) in West Bengal, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi, and Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW) in Punjab, among others. This level of output indicates a notable advancement in India’s capacity to manufacture locomotives.

Indian Railways has achieved remarkable progress not only in the production of locomotives but in coach manufacturing as well. In the past ten years, the fleet has grown by over 2 lakh waggons, and approximately 41,000 Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches have been constructed, according to a report published by ET Now. Previously, there were only 400–500 LHB coaches produced annually. Today, the number has reached an astounding 5,000–5,500 coaches.

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Stronger Focus On Safety

The government is making significant investments in railway safety as part of a larger plan to guarantee safer and more effective rail travel. The Union Minister emphasised that in the upcoming years, all ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches will be converted to the safer LHB design. According to ET Now reports, the total amount of money invested in railway safety has increased significantly, reaching ₹1.16 lakh crore.

In terms of safety improvements, new technologies are being rapidly implemented. These include fog safety devices, electronic interlocking systems, long rails, and the cutting-edge “Kavach” system, which is intended to prevent train collisions. The Rail-Cum-Road Vehicle (RCR) was also created to make maintenance simpler and eliminate the need for large machinery. Indian Railways has also made significant progress in maintaining the tracks. The primary rail renewal of 50,000 km has been completed, ET Now reported.

This remarkable progress showcases Indian Railways’ commitment to modernisation, safety, and efficiency.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons