Mozambique is importing the first batch of two locomotives as part of a total order of six 3000 HP Cape Gauge locomotives and 90 stainless steel passenger coaches developed by India’s Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), valued at US$95M, the Government announced.
BLW, Indian Railways’ production unit, on Thursday exported the first two locomotives and 12 wagons to the Mozambique Railways (CFM), in a symbolic event held over the Internet, attended by the countries’ respective transport ministers.
This initial order is scheduled to arrive in Mozambique in April. The locomotives have the capacity to transport 2,255 tons of cargo and reach a speed of 100 kilometers per hour on flat terrain.
Make in India 🇮🇳 for the World:
Realising our Hon'ble PM's Vision of #AatmaNirbharBharat & Exemplifying our capability to develop indigenous products for the world, flagged off shipment of 3,000 HP state-of-the-art locomotives for export to Mozambique.🎥 https://t.co/KSwakEKjuq pic.twitter.com/82mkLJlTiQ
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 10, 2021
Also read: Mozambique: Rail link to Malawi to cost US$30M
The new design, acquisition and manufacture of the equipment was completed within 14 months of order confirmation, which took place in January 2020.
The project is 100% supported by a credit line granted by the Indian government, agreed upon in 2018 by both countries, explained during the virtual ceremony the Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communications, Janfar Abdulai.
The Minister highlighted the ties that link the two countries: in addition to acquiring railway material from India, Mozambique has also received 100,000 doses of vaccines against covid-19 produced in that country.