Chhapra/Patna: The Bihar Industries Minister, Nitish Mishra, on Monday attended the naming ceremony of India’s largest locomotive export consignment—ES43ACmi (4500 HP) locomotives—destined for Guinea’s Simandou mining project. The event, held at the Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited (WLPL) plant in Marhowra, Saran district, marked a major milestone in India’s “Make in India” and “Make for the World” ambitions.
“This is not just Make in India—it is Make in Bihar for the world,” said Minister Mishra. “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, this signals a bold leap forward towards Viksit Bharat.” He praised the facility as a model of international cooperation and industrial excellence, embodying the vision of transforming Bihar into a global manufacturing hub.
The WLPL plant is a joint venture between the US-based Wabtec Corporation and the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The Simandou project, one of the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposits, is backed by global mining giant Rio Tinto. Locomotives from the Bihar plant will power the freight corridors of this ambitious venture in West Africa, showcasing Indian engineering on a global scale.
“This Simandou locomotive is not just a machine, it’s a symbol of victory for Wabtec Global and Bihar’s industrial potential,” said Sujata Narayan, Senior Vice President of WLPL. “It’s being built right here, in Bihar.”
The ceremony saw the presence of Guinea’s senior ministers, embassy officials, Indian Railway Ministry representatives, Wabtec executives, and Rio Tinto delegates. The cross-continental collaboration highlights the strategic significance of the Marhowra plant in India’s export landscape.
The locomotives, each capable of 4,500 horsepower, are designed for rugged international freight operations. According to company sources, exports worth Rs 3,000 crore are expected over the next three years, opening new avenues for industrial employment and export growth in Bihar.
The historic export from Bihar’s heartland signals more than just manufacturing prowess—it reflects the state’s evolving role in India’s journey toward a $5 trillion economy. For a region often left out of the industrial map, Marhowra’s locomotives are now putting Bihar on global tracks.
