Equipped with a 12-cylinder fully turbocharged GEVO engine, it is claimed to be 50% more environmentally friendly than its predecessors and is the first in the country to be compliant with level one of the emission norms set by the International Union of Railways (UIC-1).

[4] In January 2014, Cabinet approval was received for setting up the Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) in Marhowra at an approximate cost of ₹2,052.58 crore (US$240 million) respectively.

[5] On 9 November 2015, the Ministry of Railways awarded the contracts for Madhepura and Marhowra projects to Alstom and General Electric Transportation respectively in a collective amount of US$6 billion.

[15] The prime-mover is a GE Evolution Series 12 cylinder turbocharged internal combustion diesel engine which produces 4,500 horsepower and transmits 4,261 HP to the wheels through six traction motors, one on each axle (Co'Co' configuration).

Each axle's traction motor can be individually controlled to maintain maximum torque and tractive effort, up to 554 kN, even during conditions that induce wheel-slip.

[17] Unlike older locomotives of Indian Railways, the WDG-4G has various facilities for crew comfort and utilities, including temperature control and heated windshields.

Additional features such as soundproofing of the driver cabs and charging sockets for cellphones have reportedly made the locomotive popular among loco-pilots.

[23][24] The locomotive class operates out of two sheds (maintenance depots), each controlled by Wabtec (which acquired GE Transportation in 2018).

[27] As part of its contract on the maintenance and upkeep of the locomotives, Wabtec has to keep 95% of the fleet in operational condition, failure of which would result in a penalty from Indian Railways.