OREANDA-NEWS. December 8, 2011. The project for setting up of electric locomotives manufacturing unit at Madhepura, Bihar was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in February 2007. The work was included in Rail Budget 2007-08. The Cabinet in its meeting held on February 18, 2010 approved the setting up of this manufacturing unit under Joint Venture, with partner selected through international competitive bidding for manufacturing 12000 HP electric locomotives.

Bidders have been short listed through International Competitive Bidding (ICB) after finalization of Request for Qualification (RFQ). Request for Proposal (RFP) issued to short listed bidders. RFP document being modified after due diligence of the proposal, as announced by the Minister of Railways in Budget Speech 2011-12.

Diesel locomotive unit at Marhowra, Bihar – Request for Qualification (RFQ) has been opened. Two firms have been shortlisted. RFP issued to short listed bidders. RFP document being modified after due diligence of the proposal, as announced during the Railway Budget 2011-12.

Total funds allocated for electric engine unit upto 2011-12 is Rs. 495.04 core (2007-08=0.5 crore, 2008-09=267 crore, 2009-10= 10 crore, 2010-11= 115 crore, 2011-12= 53.04 crore) and the total funds spent upto September 2011 is Rs. 58.51 crore. For diesel engine unit expenditure of Rs. 27.37 crore has been incurred so far.

Electric engine unit at Madhepura and diesel engine unit at Marhowra, are scheduled to be completed by the selected bidder within 36 months from the date of the agreement.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.