Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 19: In a major leap toward self-reliance and railway modernisation, the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) on Saturday rolled out its 2500th electric locomotive, a WAP-7 class engine boasting 6000 horsepower. The milestone locomotive was ceremonially flagged off by General Manager Naresh Pal Singh, drawing cheers from a packed gathering of officials, staff, and media at the BLW premises.

This moment marks a record-breaking achievement for BLW, which began manufacturing electric locomotives only in 2017. Reaching the 2500-unit mark within eight years is now being hailed as a historic feat in Indian Railways’ manufacturing journey.

The WAP-7 engine, designed for high-speed passenger trains, is equipped with:

• Air-conditioned cabins
• Real-time monitoring systems
• Regenerative braking
• Modified gear ratio for 140 km/h operations

The engine is headed for deployment at South Western Railway’s Krishnarajapuram shed.

The event also celebrated the growing role of women in heavy engineering, with BLW employees Anita Devi and Shruti Srivastava playing key roles in the ceremony — a symbolic nod to gender inclusion in technical fields.

A multimedia presentation at the event showcased BLW’s accomplishments, from green initiatives and high-volume production to global exports. Notably, the factory recently exported two of ten AC-AC diesel-electric locomotives to Mozambique, reinforcing its global footprint.

Since inception, BLW has produced 10,822 locomotives, including:

• 7,498 diesel engines
• 2,500 electric engines

In FY 2024–25 alone, 472 electric locomotives rolled off its assembly lines.

General Manager Singh praised the workforce for embodying the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, stating, “This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about technological excellence, indigenous innovation, and India's growing confidence on the global stage.”