New Delhi: Swiss power major ABB says it has secured an order from the Indian Railways for train technologies worth more than Rs 270-crore. ABB is expected to supply converters, to be custom-designed for the Railways, for electric locomotives from Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW). "ABB has won its largest traction equipment order in India, worth more than Rs270 crore to supply state-of-the-art converters for electric locomotives from DLW, in Varanasi," an ABB statement said.
The converters will be manufactured at one of ABB's largest factories for locomotive applications in Nelamangala, near Bengaluru, the statement added.
The release added that the company's traction solution is based on the latest technology to bring more reliable trains to passengers, while increasing sustainable transport use by moving from diesel trains to electric. This helps rail operators achieve significant operational improvements.
"We are delighted to be contributing to the electrification of India's rail network with ABB's locally manufactured solutions," said ABB Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Spiesshofer in the statement.
"By adopting advanced technologies, India is achieving rapid improvements in growth and productivity and shaping its economy for the era of digitalisation."
Sanjeev Sharma, managing director, ABB India, said: "We are privileged to work with DLW and Indian Railways on the electrification of the domestic rail network in India – the fourth largest rail network in the world."
"This order will help to improve rail efficiency, so that passengers travelling in India will reach their destination on time and in comfort," Sharma said.
ABB traction equipment presently drives over 250 electric locomotives run by Indian Railways for both passenger and freight services. Further, over 20 percent of three-phase electric locomotives are equipped with traction converters from ABB, the statement added.
The move comes in view of the government's hopes to fully electrify the Railways by 2022.