BLW Varanasi Built two Locomotives Exported To Mozambique By RITES
Economy
4 min read
The Indian Railways has recently dispatched two locomotives to the African country of Mozambique, manufactured at the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh.
The locomotives have been shipped by the Indian Railways Export Agency, RITES (formerly Rail India Technical and Economic Service) Limited.
Recently, India exported diesel-powered locomotives made at the Marhowrah Diesel Locomotive plant in Bihar by Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited to Guinea.
Export Order from Mozambique
RITES secured a contract to supply 10 locomotives to Mozambique for $37.7 million through a competitive international bidding process in November 2023.
The Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based African Development Bank has provided loans to Mozambique to buy the 10 locomotives..
The locomotives were built at BLW, Varanasi, with all the modern amenities and to the specifications of Mozambique.
Two locomotives have been dispatched in June 2025, and the remaining 8 locomotives are expected to be delivered by December 2025.
The BLW first exported diesel locomotives to Mozambique in 2008.
It successfully delivered six 3000 HP (horsepower) locomotives to Mozambique again in the 2021-23 period.
The repeat order from Mozambique indicates the acceptance of Indian-made locomotives, especially in African countries.
About the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW)
The BLW was earlier known as Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW). It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The foundation stone of the Diesel Locomotive Works was laid by President Rajendra Prasad in 1956.
It started production in 1961, and the first locomotive was delivered in 1964.
In 1976, it exported its diesel locomotives to Tanzania.
Initially, it manufactured diesel locomotives; however, in 2017, it began producing electric locomotives.
It has manufactured over 10,000 diesel and electric locomotives and has exported to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Angola, Sudan, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
About RITES
The company was set up as Rail india Technical and Economic Service Limited under the Companies Act 1956 in 1974.
The company changed its name to RITES Limited in 2000.
It is a Navratna central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Union Ministry of Railways.
The company is a transport and engineering consultancy organisation.
The company is the export arm of Indian Railways for providing rolling stock (including locomotives, coaches, trainsets, etc.)
The company is present in more than 55 countries of in more than 55 countries acrossAsia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East regions.
Headquarters- Gurugram, Haryana
Also Read: PM Modi Flags Off First Made-in-Bihar Locomotive for Export to Guinea
