Patna: The first electric locomotive from Alstom factory in Madhepura was completed on Saturday. The company announced that it had been completed on schedule. Production had begun in October 2017.

The project is a joint venture between Alstom, a French multinational company, and Indian Railways with a stake of 74 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. Alstom is investing Rs 1,200 crore in this project that has come up on 250 acres, 240km east of Patna.

Alstom said these new locomotives will not only bring down operating cost for the railways but will als significantly cut down greenhouse gas emissions. The company will manufacture 800 locomotives.

In the coming days, it will manufacture 35 more locomotives by 2020 and 60 in 2021. Thereafter, 100 locomotives a year will be manufactured till the target of 800 is met.

"Our operations in India are paramount to our business globally and we continue to stay committed to developing India's infrastructure needs, improving the quality of services to citizens and investing in the nation's economy," said Henri-Poupart Lafarge, chairman and chief executive officer, Alstom, in the press note issued by the company.

"This project stands as a shining example of Alstom's commitment to 'Make in India'. Apart from creating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, we have created a strong localised supply chain for this project, with 90 per cent of the components for the prototype sourced locally," he said

Each double section locomotive has 12,000 horsepower and a hauling capacity of 6,000 tonnes and speed of 120km/hr, allowing for faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains in the country.

Equipped with insulated-gate bipolar transistor-based propulsion technology, the company claimed that these locomotives are compliant with Indian standards of freight transport and will have the ability to endure tough Indian climate and conditions.

The company added that to give skill-teaching and local hiring an impetus, focused efforts have been initiated towards nurturing young minds in and around Madhepura. With the help of local NGOs, Alstom Foundation is working to foster better healthcare, education and dignified livelihood in the area.

Alstom on Saturday announced three new contracts worth approximately €75 million - power supply contract from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd; contract for train sets from Chennai Metro Rail Corporation; and power supply contract from Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation.