Major technological and safety enhancements are underway at the Bhagat Ki Kothi loco shed in Jodhpur to elevate operational reliability. Over a span of five months, the facility has successfully equipped half of its designated electric locomotives with the advanced Kavach safety system. Alongside this safety rollout, targeted technical improvements have led to a noticeable drop in locomotive failures. The shed has also introduced indigenous testing innovations, recycled valuable equipment worth crores, and adopted water conservation measures to strengthen overall maintenance operations.
Expanding Kavach Installation and Reliability
Out of the total 132 electric locomotives assigned to the shed, 66 units have now been fitted with the Kavach safety mechanism. Installation work for the remaining locomotives is proceeding in a phased manner, and future electric locos will roll out with the system pre-installed. These technical upgrades have yielded clear improvements in fleet reliability. When compared to the same period last year, HHP diesel locomotive failures dropped by 40 percent, while electric locomotive failures decreased by 21 percent. Furthermore, performance metrics surpassed Railway Board targets, showing a 21 percent improvement in diesel loco outages and a 6 percent improvement in electric loco outages.
Indigenous Testing and Resource Optimization
The shed has developed a dedicated P-pipe flow test bench using indigenous technology to inspect components before installation. This custom setup tests the oil flow and spray capacity of piston cooling pipes prior to fitting them into the engines, allowing technicians to spot defective parts early and prevent potential engine damage. In addition to optimizing technical checks, the facility focused on resource recovery by supplying 84 usable locomotive components valued at 4.73 crore rupees to various other railway workshops and production units. During a three-month window, the team also completed major maintenance schedules for 10 electric locos and 11 HHP diesel locos.
Water Conservation and Future Outlook
Environmental sustainability remains a key focus at the facility, with the implementation of waterless urinals across 77 of its 181 electric locomotives to minimize water consumption while streamlining maintenance routines. Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Tripathi stated that modern technology, quality upkeep, and domestic innovations are collectively reinforcing the railway commitment to safety. These comprehensive upgrades extend beyond routine maintenance, playing a vital role in ensuring that trains running on the tracks operate with enhanced security, reliability, and efficiency.
