Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has achieved a rare distinction by securing awards in all four categories of shields announced by the Railway Board for the best-performing locomotive sheds in Indian Railways for the financial year 2025–26.
The awards will be presented during the 43rd Maintenance Study Group (MSG) Meeting scheduled to be held at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), Chittaranjan, on June 19–20, 2026.
Demonstrating excellence in locomotive maintenance, reliability, and operational efficiency, ECoR has emerged as the only zonal railway to secure at least one award in each of the four categories evaluated by the Railway Board.
In the category of “Best Diesel Shed Homing Electric Locomotives,” Waltair Diesel Shed (WATD) secured second position. Angul Electric Loco Shed (ANGE) bagged first position in the category of “Best Loco Shed Homing 3-Phase Electric Locomotives,” and also secured second position in the “Best Loco Shed Homing Conventional Electric Locomotives” category. In the category of “Best Shed Homing Electric Coaching Locomotives,” Waltair Electric Loco Shed (WATE) secured second position.
The awards were based on a comprehensive analytical assessment of locomotive shed performance during 2025–26, with key parameters including locomotive failure rate, year-on-year improvement in reliability, and effective utilisation of manpower resources.
The award-winning sheds registered notable improvements in locomotive reliability during the year. Angul Electric Loco Shed recorded a 20.0% improvement, Waltair Electric Loco Shed 19.2%, and Waltair Diesel Loco Shed 19.0%, reflecting sustained focus on maintenance excellence and operational efficiency.
These achievements underline ECoR’s continued emphasis on strengthening maintenance practices, enhancing reliability, optimising manpower deployment, and ensuring efficient utilisation of resources through systematic planning of locomotive maintenance schedules.
Congratulating the award-winning teams, the General Manager appreciated their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. He stated that the recognition reflects the high standards of maintenance and operational reliability maintained by ECoR and urged the teams to continue setting new benchmarks in performance and safety.
