Railway’s own manufacturing unit in Punjab face disruption due to its own diktat
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Patiala
In the ongoing tussle between the Punjab government and the Railways, to allow the running of trains in Punjab, Indian Railway’s own manufacturing unit (DMW) in the state’s chief minister home district, faces the disruption in rendering its services.Capt. Amarinder Singh, chief minister of Punjab, played a instrumental rule in bringing this major and prestigious production unit of railways, in Patiala, Punjab.
Diesel Loco Modernisation Works (DMW), is a prestigious production unit over Indian Railways engaged in manufacture of electric locomotives, diesel electric tower car (DETC). It had been carrying out rebuilding of diesel locomotives in the past. A one of the major unit of railways, it had ,till date,modernised about 2300 ALCO locomotives.
Due to the railways decision to not to allow any goods train to enter Punjab, till the state government make necessary arrangements to run both goods and passenger trains, due to the ongoing farmer’s agitation, this railway unit is also facing the heat.
When contacted the Principal Chief administrative officer SN Dubey of DMW, he said” we at DMW manufacture WAP7 locos and DETC. The production is going on, we have sufficient stock to produce the locomotives. But from, around mid October, our produces (electric locomotives and diesel electric tower car (DETC) are stationed in the unit. We are not able to send these ready locos to their destination. We are also not got any permission to do trial run of these newly manufactured locos and DETC, as the tracks are not free.We need around 200 plus km empty track for its trail run ”
Dubey further added that “ WAP7 locos , DETC are aligned to the Indian railway’s plan to electrify the entire route and switch over to electric traction in a major way. Even the locos, machines were not allowed by the railway authorities to enter Punjab.”
Railway board have also entrusted DMW for centralised procurement and supply of many items for zonal railways under RSP.
In the year 1979, a decision was taken to set up Diesel Component Works (DCW) at Patiala. The Foundation Stone of Diesel Component Works (DCW), Patiala was laid on October 24, 1981 and production started in 1986. The name of DCW was changed to Diesel Loco Modernisation Works (DMW) in July, 2003 to signify the modernisation of Diesel Locomotives being done in the unit.
November 3,2020
