MARHAURA (SARAN), May 27 -- In a major boost to the 'Make in India' initiative and Bihar's own manufacturing industry, the Marhaura Diesel Locomotive Factory in Bihar has dispatched its first consignment of locomotives for export to Africa, said a senior factory official. The shipment, part of an international order from Mozambique, includes advanced diesel locomotives built entirely in India. The Marhaura plant, located in Bihar's Saran district, was established as a joint venture between Indian Railways and American company General Electric (now Wabtec). Operational since 2018, the factory manufactures 4,500-horsepower diesel locomotives and has already delivered hundreds to Indian Railways for domestic use. This marks the facility's first international export, highlighting India's growing role in global industrial manufacturing, said a senior official. He said that the delivery of locomotive to Mozambique is part of a larger export agreement, with more consignments to follow in the coming months. "The export not only boosts India's manufacturing capabilities but also enhances diplomatic and trade relations with African nations," he added. Marhaura diesel locomotive factory (DLF) in Saran district has secured its first export order worth Rs.2,000 crore to manufacture 140 evolution series ES43ACmi diesel locomotives for Republic of Guinea in West Africa -- a pointer to India's growing capabilities in the global locomotive market as well as boosting railway manufacturing sector. Talking to HT on Monday, Sujata Narayan, country head, Krishti, global project head of Wabtec, jointly said that the contract was awarded to Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited - a joint venture between Indian Railways and the US-based Wabtec Corporation. "The Marhaurah plant has been producing state-of-the-art locomotives for Indian Railways and is now expanding its operations to meet international demands," he said. The ES43ACmi locomotives, featuring a 4,500 hp evolution series engine, are renowned for their fuel efficiency and performance in high-temperature environment, making them well-suited for the climatic conditions in Republic of Guinea. Production for this export order is set to commence in 2025, with deliveries scheduled to begin from June onwards, he said, adding the deadline to export all the required 140 locomotives will be March 2028. This development aligns with country's "Make in India" and "Make for the World" initiatives, as well as the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, aiming to position India as a global hub for manufacturing and export, the CAO said, adding the project is expected to bolster local economies, create employment opportunities and enhance the country's presence in the global railway industry. The export orders are significant as they would pave the way for future international collaborations in the railway sector. The railways is having its 27% share in this joint venture, with the factory capacity to produce 100 diesel locomotives per year. The locomotives will be produced at a joint facility located in Marhaura. This production site is already manufacturing ES43ACmi locomotives designed for African railways. Although the specific countries receiving these locomotives have not yet been named, interest from African nations is growing. For instance, Guinea placed an order for several units earlier in 2024, indicating the region's demand for advanced wares. The ES43ACmi locomotive, boasting 3.3 MW of power, is built to endure challenging environments. Featuring dual cabins and six axles, these units are perfect for regions where railway infrastructure is still developing. The Marhaura factory, launched in 2018 under the "Make in India" initiative, has already produced over 650 locomotives for Indian Railways. With an annual production capacity of 100 units, the facility is equipped to provide steady locomotive deliveries to Africa. Indian manufacturing, with over 70% localisation, benefits from government support, making it a strong player in global markets. The Marhaura plant enables Wabtec and Indian Railways to meet domestic needs while pursuing international opportunities....