Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated several developmental projects in Gujarat’s Dahod and Panchamhal.

Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel was also present on the occasion, reported ANI.

Under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for World’ initiatives of the government, Dahod Workshop of Indian Railways is all set to become a manufacturing partner through a process of bidding. It will be the manufacturing unit for High Horsepower 9,000 HP Electric Locomotives.

The Indian Railways stated that an investment of more than Rs 20,000 crores is expected to produce 1,200 High Horsepower 9,000 HP locomotives.

It said, “The first locomotive will turn out in early 2024. This project will boost Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Programme.”

"These locomotives will play a vital role in revolutionizing the freight movement in the country," the Railways further added.

The high horsepower locomotives are expected to help in decongesting the saturated tracks by bringing an improvement in the average speeds and loading capacities of freight trains.

In what is believed to be a game-changer in the movement of cargo trains, they will be capable of hauling around 4,500-tonne cargo load at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

The new project will also help in upgrading the technical skills of existing manpower through training and supervision by a technology partner.