Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a joint venture between Indian Railways and Alstom, has boosted its community impact initiatives in Madhepura. Through refurbished schools, Anganwadi centres, and health programmes, MELPL continues to empower women, children, and rural communities while contributing to sustainable development in the region.
Introduction:
Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a joint venture between Indian Railways and Alstom, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development by scaling up its impact-driven initiatives in the Madhepura region. The company recently commemorated three key milestones aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, and essential services.
Key Milestones Achieved:
Refurbished educational institutions: MELPL inaugurated the newly upgraded Government School in Chakla and the Government Anganwadi Centre in Shripur. These institutions will directly benefit over 400 school students and 40 children, addressing the pressing need for improved learning environments in rural communities. The initiative was implemented as part of MELPL’s Rural Infrastructure Development Project, in collaboration with United Way Bengaluru.
Healthcare and hygiene support: Under its Swasth Samuday Sankalp initiative, MELPL distributed over 100 health and hygiene kits to female beneficiaries. Conducted in partnership with the American India Foundation, this programme focuses on preventive healthcare, especially among women and adolescent girls in underserved areas.
Community-First Approach:
MELPL’s CSR strategy has always focused on addressing ground-level needs identified through extensive community assessments. Initial studies revealed gaps in education quality, healthcare access, clean water availability, and teacher training. In response, MELPL launched a series of interventions that now span 14 villages and impact over 27,000 people.
Highlights of its initiatives include:
- Educating 4,000+ women and adolescent girls on menstrual health
- Engaging 600+ students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) learning
- Training 200 farmers in improved agricultural practices
- Supporting 500 women in building financial resilience through savings groups
This holistic approach ensures that MELPL’s efforts remain relevant and impactful for the communities it serves.
Insight:
Shri Vivek GARG, MD, MELPL, said, “Since the formation of MELPL, we’ve had the privilege to drive meaningful change where it matters most. It’s deeply humbling to witness the impact—on youth, women, children, and entire communities in and around Madhepura. This decade-long journey has been a testament to what purposeful partnerships can achieve—and we remain committed to building on this foundation to create even greater impact in the years ahead.”
About MELPL:
MELPL is a €3.5 billion joint venture between the Ministry of Railways (Government of India) and Alstom, representing the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s railway sector. Tasked with manufacturing and maintaining 800 high-powered electric locomotives (12,000 HP Prima WAG12B), MELPL has delivered 500 locomotives as of March 2025. With 90% localisation and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Madhepura, MELPL directly supports the Make in India initiative.
Conclusion:
MELPL’s initiatives in Madhepura reflect its commitment to social advancement alongside industrial development. By emphasizing on education, healthcare, and empowerment, the company continues to uplift rural communities. Its community-first approach ensures that the benefits of development are widespread, sustainable, and aligned with the region’s most urgent needs.
