Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) successfully turned out its 500th electric locomotive, WAP7, manufactured in FY 26 on Monday.
This milestone was achieved in the presence of BLW General Manager, Ashutosh Pant, and Additional Member (Traction), Railway Board, Somesh Kumar.
Equipped with environmental friendly design and advanced safety features, the loco was a passenger-carrying WAP7 class numbered 45002. It has been allocated to Eastern Railway’s Howrah Electric Loco Shed.
Loco features
The newly launched WAP7 is a 6,000 horsepower high-speed electric locomotive designed to operate all types of passenger, mail, and express trains. Its maximum speed is 140 kmph and is capable of pulling up to 24 coaches.
It has Co-Co wheel configuration, air-conditioned driver’s cab, head-on generation system, regenerative braking system, hotel load facility, and computer-controlled braking system, making it energy-efficient, safe, and high-performance.
BLW started producing electric locos nine years ago and has since manufactured 2855 electric locos starting with just two locos in 2017. BLW currently manufactures WAP7 locomotives for passenger service and WAG9 locomotives for freight service.
Since inception BLW has manufactured a total of 11,187 locomotives to date and has successfully exported 182 locomotives to 11 countries.
The export of 10 state-of-the-art diesel-electric locomotives to Mozambique Railways in the current financial year further strengthens BLW’s global presence.
CCRS Janak Kumar Garg visits BLW
Janak Kumar Garg, Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, New Delhi, conducted a detailed inspection of Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) on February 20, 2026. He did an in-depth review of the locomotives manufactured at BLW, their advanced manufacturing processes, quality standards, and safety measures.
The objective of CCRS’ visit was to conduct a first-hand inspection of the advanced manufacturing systems, quality control mechanisms, and safety arrangements of locomotives produced at BLW, with a view to further strengthening railway safety standards.
He inspected the Loco Frame Shop, Loco Assembly Shop, Truck Machine Shop, and Loco Test Shop, reviewing the quality of manufacturing processes and safety standards, and issued necessary directions.
BLW’s Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Sushil Kumar Srivastava, presented detailed information about the various types of locomotives manufactured at BLW, their state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, high quality standards, and safety measures.
