Siemens Mobility has officially handed over the first of 1,200 electric freight locomotives to Indian Railways for commercial operations, marking a significant milestone in the country’s rail freight modernisation programme. The handover forms part of a €3 billion agreement signed in 2023, which remains the largest locomotive order in Siemens Mobility’s history.
The new D9 class locomotives are designed for heavy freight operations across India’s rapidly expanding rail freight corridors. Siemens and Indian Railways also jointly opened the first maintenance depot for the fleet in Visakhapatnam, with additional depots planned in Raipur, Kharagpur, and Pune.
Industry observers say the programme represents a major step in India’s strategy to increase the share of freight carried by rail while reducing dependence on road transport.
Powerful Freight Fleet Begins Commercial Operations
The D9 locomotives are among the most powerful electric freight locomotives currently operating in the world. Each locomotive delivers 9,000 horsepower and is capable of hauling loads of up to 5,800 tonnes at speeds reaching 120 kilometres per hour.
The locomotives were developed under a long term lifecycle partnership that includes design, manufacturing, commissioning, and 35 years of maintenance support. Final assembly takes place at the Indian Railways factory in Dahod, Gujarat, while Siemens facilities across India manufacture key components for the project.
Siemens stated that approximately 90 percent of the locomotive technology is sourced within India, aligning with the government’s wider “Make in India” industrial initiative.
Digital Technology and Maintenance Network Introduced
The new fleet includes advanced digital monitoring systems designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce maintenance downtime. Siemens has equipped the locomotives with its Railigent X platform, allowing predictive maintenance and real time performance analysis across the network.
Rail industry analysts say the introduction of predictive maintenance systems could help improve reliability across India’s freight operations as rail traffic volumes continue to grow.
The maintenance depot opened in Visakhapatnam will serve as the first operational hub for the fleet, forming part of a nationwide support network intended to maintain long term fleet availability.
Rail enthusiasts and industry observers on online forums described the project as one of the most ambitious locomotive programmes currently underway globally, with discussion focusing on the scale of the order and the high level of domestic manufacturing involved.
Freight Expansion Remains Central to Indian Rail Strategy
Indian Railways continues to prioritise freight growth as part of wider transport and infrastructure reforms. Government targets aim to increase rail’s share of national freight transport significantly over the coming years.
Transport officials believe expanding electric freight operations will help reduce congestion on highways while lowering carbon emissions linked to long distance logistics.
The D9 fleet is expected to play a central role in supporting these objectives, particularly on dedicated freight corridors and high capacity industrial routes.
Deliveries of the remaining locomotives are scheduled over the next decade as Siemens and Indian Railways continue production under the long term agreement.
