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.
