India delivers 18 locomotives to Myanma Railways
ndian Railways has completed the delivery of 18 AC-DC 1350 HP diesel electric locomotives to Myanma Railways, the state-owned agency that operates Myanmar’s railway network. All 18 units were scheduled to be delivered by September this year, but were delivered six months early.
Manufactured by Diesel Locomotive Works in the Indian city of Varanasi, the locomotives are equipped with micro-processor control based systems. Capable of operating at a maximum speed of 100km/h, the locomotives were customised for Myanma Railways, and are reported to be more fuel-efficient than older models.
Indian Minister of State of Railways Rajen Gohain was present at the final delivery of the locomotives where he thanked the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for ensuring smooth facilitation of the project, and expressed his gratitude for the last two decades of close cooperation between the two railway providers.
Myanmar Minister of Transportation and Communication Thant Sin Moung, who was also present at the event, expressed interest in in the training programmes and signalling and telecommunication systems offered by Indian Railways.
This project is the first to be completed in the current Indian Line of Credit, a financing mechanism whereby Indian banks fund the export of projects, equipment, goods and services from India.
The locomotives were supplied by RITES, an Indian government-owned entity under the Ministry of Railways. It operates as the export wing of the railways and is involved in supplying rolling stock, railway infrastructure maintenance and carrying out technical studies, as well as providing training to Myanmar Railway officials.
RITES is expected to start a study with regards to the modernization and maintenance of workshops in Myanmar soon.
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