Historic Milestone for Indian Railways on Women's Day
In a landmark move celebrating International Women's Day, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express was entirely operated by an all-woman crew on Saturday.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director for Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, highlighted the event, saying, "It was the first time that a Vande Bharat Express was fully operated by an all-woman crew, departing from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on this International Women's Day."
Trailblazing Women at the Helm
The train was driven by Surekha Yadav, renowned as Asia’s first woman loco pilot, along with her assistant Sangeeta Kumari. Joining them were women professionals in key roles such as train managers, ticket examiners, and onboard catering staff, marking a proud occasion for the Indian Railways.
"It was a proud moment to celebrate the strength, dedication, and leadership of women in the Indian Railways," Kumar added.
Nationwide Celebrations of Women in Railways
Beyond the special operation of the Mumbai-Shirdi Vande Bharat Express, several other express and mail trains were also fully managed by all-women crews across different rail divisions throughout the country.
Representation of Women in Indian Railways
According to the Indian Railways, out of a workforce of approximately 12.30 lakh employees, women constitute about 1.13 lakh. The organization employs around 2,000 women loco pilots and assistant loco pilots, alongside 1,900 women station managers.
This initiative demonstrates Indian Railways' commitment to recognizing and empowering women within its workforce.
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