New Delhi: Giving a major push to Make in India slogan coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is proudly partnering Mozambique’s economic growth by exporting locomotives manufactured in India.
H.E President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi on February 11 inaugurated four Cape Gauge Diesel locomotives, manufactured by Indian Railways' production unit, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), in presence of H.E the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa at Beira. The Cape Gauge Diesel locomotives have the capability of zooming at the speed of 100 km/hr, with maximum axle load of 20 tonne.
The 3000 HP locomotives are at present being operated to haul 3561 tonnes of coal from mines to the port of Beira, hauling 43 wagons.
General Manager, BLW, Ms Anjali Goyal said the occasion was momentous and it paved way for future exports by leveraging the technology skills of Indian Railways as well as BLW.
The locomotives have been designed, made and financed by India for exports.
With this venture, BLW hopes to help India enter the market for cape gauge locomotives in Africa, where there is an extensive cape gauge network. BLW has the capability of exporting services of technology, training and management support, besides locomotives and spares, for multi-traction and multi-gauge systems.
The AC-AC Traction system, Traction Alternator, Traction Motor, Turbo and Water closet were specially designed for Mozambique by the in-house design team.
The driver cabin of the locomotive is noise vibration and harshness standard compliant having very good acoustics, ergonomically designed seats, integrated graphic driver display and is also provided with Heating Venting AC (HVAC) for better crew comfort. The locomotives even have refrigerator, hot plate and onboard water-closed (toilet module).