WAG12: Indian Railways’ first indigenous electric locomotive

WAG12: Indian Railways’ first indigenous electric locomotive

Part of: GS-Prelims and Mains GS-III-  Economy, Infrastructure

In News:

• The Indian Railways has operationalised its first 12,000 hp electric locomotive named WAG12. 
• It is manufactured locally. 

Key takeaways:

• The locomotive made its maiden commercial run between Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Station, UP to Shivpur, UP 
• India became the sixth country in the world to produce high horsepower locomotive indigenously.
• It is manufactured at the Madhepura Electric Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. (MELPL), Bihar. 
• It is a joint venture between the French major and the Indian railways holding an equity share of 74% and 26% respectively.
• It is the largest FDI in the railways sector.
• WAG12 will allow faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains.
• Such locomotive has been operationalised on broad gauge track in the world for the first time.