Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has dispelled concerns over the future of the Ernakulam Loco Shed in a direct response to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Addressing the issues raised in a recent letter by the Chief Minister, the Railway Minister categorically stated that there are no plans to close down the Ernakulam Loco Shed. He clarified that the facility continues to be crucial to the operational requirements of the Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad Railway Divisions, where it currently maintains diesel locomotives and essential breakdown vehicles serving the region.
Being upgraded
Outlining the roadmap for the shed’s future, the Minister emphasised that the facility is being upgraded rather than phased out. He revealed that plans are under way to modernise the shed to enable the maintenance of electric locomotives. As part of this transition, Railways have already initiated infrastructure augmentation works and installation of specialised testing facilities required for inducting electric engines.
The Minister’s assurance underscores that Ernakulam will continue to remain a key hub for Indian Railway, evolving in line with technological advancements to support the State’s transport network, the Southern Railway said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
Published – February 05, 2026 07:30 pm IST
