05-05-2025
India's locomotive beats US, Europe, but what is a locomotive anyway?
In the financial year of 2024–25, Indian Railways reached a remarkable feat by manufacturing 1,681 locomotives. This surpassed the previous year's mark of 1,472 units, showing a 19 per cent increment. This places India further ahead of the US and Europe combined, reflecting the growing strengths of the country within the railway infrastructure production breakdown includes: 700 locomotives from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, 477 from Banaras Locomotive Works, 304 from Patiala Locomotive Works, and 100 each from Madhepura and Marhowrah units in
Also, 1,047 of these were WAG-9/9H heavy-duty electric freight locomotives, which are well known for their speed and strength. This emphasises India's intention to increase the capabilities of freight IS A LOCOMOTIVE?A locomotive is a vehicle that is capable of independent operation that pulls train cars along a set of rails. The locomotive has the responsibility to supply the required energy to operate the train, set the schedules, and drive the wheels of the may be energised using a diesel engine or electricity. Steam locomotives were powered by diesel and electric traction, now the most ancient type in use. While diesel locomotives carry their own fuel, electric ones draw power through overhead wires or third of the fiscal year 2024-25, India has outperformed all other countries in the world by producing a total of 1,681 locomotives. This is a remarkable achievement as it is more than the collective production of the USA, Europe, South America, Africa, and increase in production is a result of the 'Make in India' campaign, along with augmented manufacturing capabilities and Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (700 units), Banaras Locomotive Works (477 units), and Patiala Locomotive Works (304 units) are the top producers in increase in production of WAG-9/9H series freight electric locomotives substantiates the emerging position of India in the international railways and infrastructure is a portrayal of Indian efforts to enhance locomotive systems and railway marketing capabilities, amplifying freight railway infrastructure supported by other FREIGHT CAPACITY AND SAFETYIndian Railways has increased its freight capacity by 200,000 new waggons with a goal of transporting 1.6 billion tons of cargo by the end of FY25. This would put India as one of the top three in the world in freight, along with China and the United the safety side, the Railways is changing ICF coaches for LHB ones, 41,000 of which have been manufactured. The new safety features implemented include:Long rails to minimise derailmentsElectronic interlocking devices for better signallingFog safety devices for better visibilityThe 'Kavach' safety system which is an advanced version of anti-collision strategies showcase the passenger's safety and infrastructure modernisation of the Indian TO MITIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL BUDGET IMPACTS WHILE SUSTAINING AFFORDABILITYadvertisementThe Indian Railways is one of the most affordable railway networks in the world despite experiencing an increase in operational actual cost of train travel is Rs 1.38 per kilometer with a 47% subsidy, and train passengers are charged 73 paise. For FY 2022-23, Indian Railways allocated Rs 57,000 crore passenger subsidy, which increased to Rs 60,000 crore for FY sustainability, Indian Railways is fast-tracking electrification goals to achieve 'Scope 1 Net Zero' emissions by 2025 and shifting to 'Scope 2 Net Zero' by diesel-electric locomotive fleet's conversion to energy-efficient electric trains, along with increased adoption of renewable energy resources, demonstrates the commitment towards environmental terms of affordability and sustainability, achievements in Indian Railways's industrial locomotive production and global exports, freight capacity increase, safety measures, reduced operating costs, and enhanced service carve a sustained role in India's economic growth and global superpower status for railway Reel
