New Delhi

Frenchtrain maker Alstom is in discussions with Indian Railways for a follow-on order of 200 locomotives for its manufacturing plant in Madhepura, Bihar, and also for utilising the facility to make other railway-related products, a senior company official has said.

Vivek Garg, Managing Director of Alstom's Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), said that the initial order of 800 electric freight locomotives will be completed by March 2028. In 2015, the Indian Railways and Alstom set up a joint venture company to manufacture 800 electric locomotives in Madhepura, Bihar.

"We have already delivered 650 locomotives from our Madhepura facility. The land parcel has been leased to us for 35 years," Garg said.

He said that the piece of land will continue to be with the company till 2048-49, and its machinery and plant would be in existence. "Within the contract, it is written that Indian Railways can place an order for 200 more locomotives.

"According to the contract, the Indian Railways and Alstom can utilise this facility for manufacturing any product which is related to railways," Garg said.

He further added that the discussion with the Indian Railways is still going on about how to utilise the Madhepura facility in the best possible way, and no final decision has been taken.