Railway Drops Plan to Shift Kochi Loco Maintenance to Tiruchirappalli Following Intervention by John Brittas MP

Kochi: The Indian Railways have withdrawn their move to shut down the state’s only loco shed, which undertakes rail engine maintenance, following strong intervention by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. The decision comes at a time when infrastructure development to maintain electric locomotives was nearing completion and the Ernakulam South loco shed was scheduled to be inaugurated in April.

The Railways had earlier decided to shift the maintenance of diesel locomotives based in Kochi to Tiruchirappalli, triggering concern among employees and trade unions. John Brittas intervened in the matter and wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding that the Ernakulam loco shed be retained and further developed.

Located adjacent to Ernakulam South station, the diesel loco shed spreads across 8.5 acres and currently maintains 56 diesel engines. A similar attempt to shut it down in 2024 was withdrawn following strong protests. After railway electrification, overhead traction work costing 2 crore rupees was completed at the site in 2017 to convert it into an electric loco shed. Five electric locomotives were allotted thereafter, but were later shifted back to the Erode shed citing lack of maintenance facilities.

Subsequently, infrastructure development worth 4 crore rupees was taken up at the Ernakulam shed. Railway authorities had assured that once the work was completed in March, more electric locomotives would be allotted to the shed. However, disregarding these assurances, a fresh decision was taken to move even the existing 56 diesel locomotives to Tiruchirappalli and redeploy staff to other departments.

Uncertainty continues over the allotment of new electric locomotives as well. The closure move came despite an existing directive to retain diesel locomotives in Kochi, considering its status as a naval base and the fact that full electrification of all routes may not be feasible. The shed employs 275 permanent staff, including female employees, along with around 100 contract workers.

Railway employees’ unions have announced preparations for strong protests against the move, warning that shutting down the Ernakulam loco shed would adversely affect rail transport in the state.