India steams ahead: Outpaces US & Europe in locomotive production

India has overtaken the United States and Europe in locomotive production, having built more than 1,400 units, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated. He noted that the country is emerging as a key player in the global railway export market, supplying metro coaches, passenger coaches, and railway bogies to several countries. Vaishnaw also highlighted a marked reduction in railway accidents, alongside the Railways’ efforts to boost safety measures and expand affordable travel options across the nation, during his address in the Lok Sabha.

In a major revelation in the Rajya Sabha today, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, underscored the growing global footprint and transformative strides of Indian Railways. During a detailed discussion on the working of the Ministry of Railways, the Minister shared several key achievements and future goals, highlighting how Indian Railways is setting new benchmarks, both domestically and internationally.

The Minister proudly announced that India has now surpassed the combined locomotive production of America and Europe, with the manufacturing of 1,400 locomotives this year alone. This milestone not only emphasizes India’s rising stature as a railway manufacturing hub but also positions the country as a crucial player in the global railway sector. Vaishnaw further added that Indian Railways has bolstered its fleet with 2 lakh new wagons this year, strengthening the nation’s logistics and supply chain capabilities.

“Indian Railways is not just providing affordable, safe, and quality services to our passengers but is also creating a distinct identity on the world stage,” said the Minister.

He noted that while railway fares in India remain among the lowest globally—cheaper than even neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka—Western nations charge 10 to 20 times more than India.

Elaborating on the government’s commitment to affordability, Vaishnaw highlighted that Indian Railways offers a significant passenger subsidy. He revealed that while the actual cost per kilometer for train travel stands at ₹1.38, passengers are charged just 73 paise, reflecting a 47% subsidy. In the financial year 2022-23, this amounted to ₹57,000 crore, increasing to approximately ₹60,000 crore in 2023-24 (provisional figures). “Our mission is to continue providing safe and enhanced services while keeping fares accessible for the common man,” Vaishnaw emphasized.

On the environmental front, the Minister detailed the benefits of Indian Railways’ rapid electrification drive. Despite increasing passenger and freight volumes, energy costs have remained steady. The Railways is working towards achieving ‘Scope 1 Net Zero’ emissions by 2025 and ‘Scope 2 Net Zero’ by 2030, making it a leader in sustainable transportation.

Vaishnaw also highlighted the impressive export performance of Indian Railways. “We are now exporting locomotives from Madhepura factory in Bihar and sending passenger coaches to Mozambique, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka,” he stated. Locomotives are also being exported to countries like Senegal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, while bogie underframes are being shipped to the UK, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia. Additionally, propulsion components are now reaching markets in France, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Romania, and Italy.

In terms of freight capacity, Indian Railways is expected to handle 1.6 billion tons of cargo by the end of the financial year, placing India among the top three countries globally alongside China and the United States. This demonstrates the growing role of Indian Railways in supporting India’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem.

Addressing railway safety measures, Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha that 41,000 LHB coaches have been manufactured, with all ICF coaches set to be converted to the safer and more modern LHB variants. Enhanced safety systems like long rails, electronic interlocking, fog safety devices, and the indigenously developed ‘Kavach’ anti-collision system are being rolled out at a rapid pace.

The Minister acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pivotal role in increasing railway infrastructure funding.

“Earlier, the Railways used to receive around ₹25,000 crore in budgetary support. Today, this has surged to over ₹2.5 lakh crore, enabling massive improvements in infrastructure,” he added.

He also mentioned the manufacturing of 50 Namo Bharat trains, which will soon provide both AC and non-AC options for short-distance travelers.

In line with the government’s pro-poor approach, Vaishnaw emphasized that non-AC coaches are being prioritized, with plans to manufacture 17,000 additional general class coaches. “We are increasing the number of general coaches by 2.5 times compared to AC coaches,” he said.

Concluding his address, the Minister asserted that Indian Railways has successfully navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With passenger numbers and freight volumes on the rise, Indian Railways now generates revenue of ₹2.78 lakh crore against expenses of ₹2.75 lakh crore. “We are meeting our major expenses from our own earnings, reflecting the strong financial health and performance of the Indian Railways,” Vaishnaw declared.