Patna: In a historic milestone for Bihar and India’s industrial landscape, the diesel locomotive engine manufactured at Madhaura in Chhapra district is set to be exported to the West African nation of Guinea. This landmark step marks the first time any Indian state has exported a rail engine for the global market.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off this significant consignment of rail engines on June 20, underlining India’s growing prowess in locomotive manufacturing and Bihar’s emergence as a key industrial hub.
Madhaura’s Locomotive Factory: From Freedom Struggle to Industrial Revolution
Madhaura, once renowned in the annals of India’s freedom struggle, is now writing a new chapter as a center of industrial excellence. The Webtech Diesel Locomotive Factory here is a testament to the vision of a self-reliant India and a developed Bihar. This joint venture between Webtech Inc. (holding 76% stake) and Indian Railways (24%) was established in 2018 and has so far produced 729 powerful diesel engines, including 545 engines of 4500 HP and 184 engines of 6000 HP.
Making History: India’s First State-Level Export of Rail Engines
This export deal, worth approximately Rs 3000 crore, was finalized after a visit by three ministers from Guinea and South Africa on May 26, 2025. The contract involves the delivery of 140 locomotive engines, branded “KOMO,” to Guinea, marking Bihar as the first Indian state to export rail engines internationally.
Local Factory, Global Reach: Expanding India’s Supply Chain
The locomotive factory spreads over 226 acres and significantly boosts local employment and supplier networks. About 40-50% of its parts are sourced from across India – from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, to Jamshedpur – while some specialized components come from the United States. With rising export orders and the growing demand for global standard gauge engines, the factory is ramping up its production capacity to serve international markets better.
Bihar’s Industrial Dawn: A New Era of Growth and Employment
This project not only demonstrates India’s manufacturing capabilities but also heralds Bihar’s rise as a formidable player on the global industrial stage. It promises to create numerous technical jobs for local youth and strengthen the regional supplier ecosystem. For Bihar, this achievement is a milestone aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to make Bihar a developed and industrially advanced state.
The Power of “Make in Bihar, Make for the World”
The Madhaura locomotives are set to run not just on Indian tracks but globally – signifying the true spirit of “Make in Bihar.” This success story underscores Bihar’s talent, India’s technology, and the solid foundation laid by the Prime Minister’s call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
