Banaras Locomotive Works Sets Record with 572 Locomotives in FY 2025–26
In a major milestone for India’s railway manufacturing sector, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) has achieved its highest-ever annual production by manufacturing 572 locomotives during the financial year 2025–26. The record output marks a significant leap of nearly 20 percent compared to 477 locomotives produced in the previous financial year, highlighting the unit’s growing efficiency and technological capabilities.
The achievement has been accomplished under the leadership of General Manager Ashutosh Pant, who credited the success to the dedicated efforts of BLW’s workforce, efficient management practices, and continuous technological advancements.
According to official data, the total production of 572 locomotives includes 558 state-of-the-art electric locomotives for Indian Railways and a small number of diesel locomotives catering to export and non-railway customers. Among the electric locomotives, 401 units belong to the WAG-9 freight category, 143 units are WAP-7 passenger locomotives, and 14 units are designed for Amrit Bharat services.
In addition to domestic supply, BLW has also manufactured 10 diesel locomotives for export to Mozambique and four diesel locomotives for non-railway customers, underlining its expanding global footprint and diversified production capabilities.
Significantly, BLW has surpassed its annual production target of 553 electric locomotives for FY 2025–26 by producing 558 units, exceeding the target by approximately one percent. This also represents an 18 percent increase in electric locomotive production compared to the previous year, reflecting improved operational efficiency and planning.
Officials described the achievement as a “golden chapter” in the history of Indian Railways’ industrial units, emphasizing that it reinforces BLW’s role as a key contributor to the country’s rail infrastructure and self-reliance initiatives.
Since its inception, BLW has produced a total of 11,259 locomotives, including 2,925 electric locomotives. This cumulative output highlights the organisation’s long-standing contribution to strengthening railway operations and supporting India’s transition towards electrified and energy-efficient rail transport.
Apart from boosting production, BLW has also focused on enhancing crew safety and comfort in its locomotives. Modern features such as waterless urinals, improved driver seats, signal exchange lighting systems, driver protection warning systems, and the indigenous ‘Kavach’ safety system have been incorporated into its designs. These innovations have earned BLW the First Prize for Best Locomotive Cab in the Production Unit category.
The organisation’s commitment to quality and global standards has also been recognised internationally. BLW has received the ISO 22163 Silver Grade Certification under the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) from the European body UNIFE for the second consecutive time. This certification underscores its adherence to high standards of reliability, safety, and manufacturing excellence.
BLW has also made notable strides in sustainability and energy conservation. Through initiatives such as rainwater harvesting using ponds and soak pits, the organisation conserves significant volumes of water annually. Additionally, its grid-connected solar power plant with an installed capacity of 3,874 kWp generated approximately 41.76 lakh units of electricity during FY 2025–26, accounting for nearly 20 percent of its total energy consumption. This has resulted in savings of around ₹1.58 crore, while also reducing its environmental footprint.
In recognition of its efforts in promoting the official language, BLW has been awarded the prestigious “Rail Minister Rajbhasha Shield” by the Railway Board’s Rajbhasha Directorate, reflecting its continued commitment to the promotion of Hindi.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Railways has set an ambitious production target of 642 electric locomotives for BLW for the financial year 2026–27. Congratulating the workforce on the historic achievement, Ashutosh Pant expressed confidence that BLW will continue to scale new heights and set even higher benchmarks in the coming years.
The record-breaking performance of BLW is expected to significantly enhance the operational capacity of Indian Railways, supporting faster, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable rail services across the country.
