Union Minister V. Somanna visits Banaras Locomotive Works, praises achievements
Varanasi: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, visited the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) on January 24, 2025, to review its operations and achievements. He praised BLW’s contributions to locomotive production, technological advancements, and its role in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
On his arrival, General Manager Naresh Pal Singh welcomed the minister, who then toured various workshops, including the New Loco Frame Shop, Loco Assembly Shop, Traction Assembly Shop, Truck Machine Shop, and Loco Test Shop. Somanna also inspected an electric locomotive and sat in the driver’s cab to understand its technical features. To promote environmental awareness, he planted a sapling in the administrative building premises.
During a meeting at BLW’s Hall of Fame, a presentation was given by Principal Chief Electrical Engineer Sushil Kumar Srivastava, highlighting BLW’s achievements, technical expertise, and future plans. The General Manager presented a memento to the minister at the end of the session.
Somanna lauded BLW’s role in India’s locomotive industry, calling it a key contributor to the ‘Make in India - Make for the World’ initiative. He noted BLW’s success in exporting locomotives to 11 countries, including Mozambique, Sudan, and Malaysia. "BLW’s production system is a remarkable example of modern technology and high quality," he said, adding that the dedication of its workforce has brought global recognition to India.
Employee representatives, including the BLW Employees Council and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Association, submitted memorandums to the minister, who assured them that their concerns would be addressed.
General Manager Naresh Pal Singh described BLW as Indian Railways’ leading locomotive production unit, having manufactured over 10,500 locomotives. He called the minister’s visit an inspiration for the organization.
The event was attended by senior officials and department heads. Chief Mechanical Engineer (Production & Marketing) Suneel Kumar concluded the program with a vote of thanks.
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Allahabad HC dismisses petition seeking permission to mount loudspeaker on mosque
Prayagraj, Jan 24 (PTI): The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a writ petition seeking direction to the state authorities to permit the mounting of loudspeakers on a Masjid.
The court observed that the religious places were for offering prayers, therefore the use of loudspeakers was not a matter of right.
Dismissing the writ petition filed by Pilibhit-resident Mukhtiyar Ahmad, a two judge-bench, comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Donadi Ramesh, observed, "Religious places are for offering prayers to the divinity and use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a matter of right, particularly when often such use of loudspeakers create nuisance for the residents".
At the outset, the state counsel objected to the maintainability of the writ on the grounds that the petitioner was neither a mutawalli, nor did the mosque belong to him.
The court also noted that the petitioner did not have locus to file the writ petition.
The term 'locus' is a legal concept that refers to the right of a person or entity to participate in a legal proceeding or bring a lawsuit.
