Varanasi: Minister for railways, information and broadcasting, and electronics and information technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw , visited Banaras Locomotive Works on Saturday and had lunch with employees at the staff canteen.
The memorandum stated that BLW has manufactured around 11,000 locomotives so far. It also noted that the board’s production programme for 2026-27 and 2027-28 has set targets of 460 and 226 locomotives, respectively, for BLW.
It said the demands were linked to employee welfare, production efficiency and industrial relations, and sought an early meeting to review action taken on the issues. BLW Mazdoor Sangh, affiliated with Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, submitted a memorandum to the railway minister seeking resolution of pending employee-related issues. The union requested the railway board and concerned authorities to review the matters, take time-bound action and hold a meeting with its representatives. The union urged the ministry to explore possibilities of assigning new production work to BLW, including trainsets, MEMU, Vande Bharat and other suitable railway manufacturing projects, keeping in view the unit’s production capacity and experienced workforce. During his informal interaction with staff, Vaishnaw spoke with employees about the work culture, workplace facilities, canteen services and their overall experience at BLW. Staff members shared feedback and suggestions, and expressed happiness over the minister’s gesture, describing the occasion as memorable. Vaishnaw also met representatives of various BLW employee organisations, including the BLW Employees Council, SC/ST Association, BLW Mazdoor Sangh and Men’s Congress of BLW. The representatives submitted memoranda highlighting their issues, demands and suggestions. The minister listened to their concerns and assured them of appropriate action.