DLW- commitment to a greener and cleaner future

Diesel Locomotive Works is one of the leading locomotive manufacturer in the Asian continent. With a capability to design across the multiple gauges used by various railway systems, DLW has a footprint across Asia and Africa. DLW’s locomotives are running in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tanzania, Sudan, Senegal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Angola and Mozambique.

In India DLW is the sole provider for the needs of Indian Railways. It has turned out more than 5700 locomotives for Indian Railways. Besides

being the motive power provider for IR, DLW has also supplied more than 500 locomotives to other customers. The DLW clientele includes all the major power producers and infrastructure leaders i.e. SAIL, NTPC, TISCO, Adani and Vedanta. DLW has also diversified into DG sets and is proud to have Nuclear Power Corporation amongst its esteemed clients.

DLW being located in the heritage town of Varanasi, and the leading industrial unit in this area has always been conscious of its larger role with regard to its community stake holders. DLW took the lead in the clean Ganga campaign and installed three treatment plants way back in 1989 itself in tandem with Ganga Action Plan initiated by Government of India . The three plants were STP (Sewage Treatment Plant), IETP (Industrial Effluent Treatment Plant), CTP (Chromium Treatment Plant) for treatment of discharged human wastes, contaminated & mixed POL (Petroleum oil and Lubricants) and treatment of hazardous chromium respectively. The plants besides ensuring that Ganga remains clean, also contributes to significant recycling of resources. At STP alone, more than 5000 litres of oil and grease is recollected (to be used for inferior services), apart from getting 100 cubic metre of bio-manure. This manure is used as fertilizer for horticultural purposes. The treated water (DLW is recycling 4 lakh litres of water every day) is released for agricultural and gardening purposes.

Considering the needs of international market and in order to meet our environmental obligation, DLW accredited itself with ISO 14001 certification, as early as 2002. This moment was another milestone in our commitment to the society. In line with this certification targets have been framed, which are at par with global norms as far as water, air, exhaust-emission, work place environs, hazardous waste levels et al are concerned. Periodical internal audits and management reviews are conducted; it is in this backdrop that a well defined, documented policy for Environment is in place at DLW.

In 2005, DLW has also been certified for OHSAS 18001 which primarily deals with the health and safety of the staff at work-place. Health and Safety can be ensured only when there is healthy environment around with safe transportation, safe storage and handling of hazardous materials with minimum resource consumption which are also part and parcel

of environment management system. DLW is one of the few industry in the state which can boast of being accredited with OHSAS certification in this regard.

The adoption of Environment and Occupational Health and Safety Management System has also helped us for better and efficient solid waste management. All the wastes are segregated at the very initial level into three categories viz bio-degradable such as paper, wood, cotton clothes, jute etc, non-biodegradable such as plastics, polythenes, rubbers etc. which are auctioned off for recycling.

Chromium is a hazardous chemical which DLW was using for cylinder liner manufacture. DLW had also successfully adopted a chromium treatment plant to isolate the chemical from its discharge. However, in line with its commitment to the environment, DLW was always searching for options. In 2011, DLW discarded the Chrome plating technology and has instead set up a state of the art laser hardening facility. In India, DLW happens to be the only unit with such technology.

As a technology leader, DLW is aware of its commitment towards setting new standards for green technology. Considering the depleting reserves of fossil fuels, DLW has especially focused on fuel saving technologies and has taken several steps in the recent past i.e. APU, AESS, efficient turbochargers etc.

DLW has introduced Auxiliary Power Units on Alco locomotives which will save 30000 litres of fuel every year. They will also reduce the engine running by thereby reducing emissions. 20 such units were procured last year. The year also saw introduction of high efficiency turbochargers on the WDS6 locomotives. The initiative will not only lead to fuel savings of 6.5%, but also reduce exhaust gas temperatures. The fuel efficiency of this locomotive has been further improved with the provision of electronic governors. Though India is yet to adopt off highway

pollution norms, DLW recognizes its responsibility in this regard. DLW has developed a new generation product -WDG5, which is expected to be the workhorse for the future. This locomotive harnesses the advantages of a new technology - Electronic Fuel Injection, to substantially improve upon the emissions. The locomotive also introduces AESS (Automatic Engine Start and Stop) to eliminate idle engine running. AESS besides reducing fuel consumption will reduce noise and exhaust emissions.

Water is a precious resource, which is becoming scarcer day by day. DLW has committed itself to water harvesting programme to protect this resource. DLW has already made more than 400 soak pits as part of its water harvesting drive. All the major buildings have been provided with water harvesting arrangement. We have also recognized the importance of ponds in sustaining the water level. ‘Surya Sarovar’ pond already exists at DLW which not only is used for the religious rites but also assists in replenishing the water table of the area around. Besides Surya Sarovar, DLW has also invested in a few more ponds, three of which dot the golf course.

All the efforts as mentioned above are already paying dividends. Besides the green and clean parks and roads, the golf course is another feather jewel in our cap. It is not only green & clean all around but also the pollution levels of water, air, exhaust-emissions and hazardous wastes are well within the limits as stipulated by UPPCB and CPCB. The moment one enters DLW, a drop in temperature of 3 to 4 degree Celsius from the outside area is palpable. We understand and appreciate that environment is a priceless gift of nature and reaffirm our commitment to a greener and cleaner future.

-B.P.Khare, GM, DLW