Western Railway breaks yet another stereotype

First goods train run with all female staff crew from Vasai to Vadodara

In a major breakthrough, W.Rly has broken yet another stereotype to introduce a all female crew in a goods train. The crew has piloted a Goods train from Vasai Road to Vadodara on 5th January, 2021 and has set a glaring example that no job is beyond the capacity of women to perform as well as to excel.

Alok Kansal – General Manager of W. Rly expressed his joy and stated it to be a memorable day. He applauded the determination & firm willpower of the women staff and said that they are indeed a role model for other women to emulate.

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, the goods train that departed from Vasai Road to Vadodara on 5th January, 2021 was helmed by Loco Pilot – Kumkum Suraj Dongre, Assistant Loco Pilot – Udita Verma and Goods Guard – Akansha Rai. This was a first of its kind for W. Rly which ran its first all female crew manned Goods train. He further informed that due to the grueling nature of job of Guards & Loco pilots which also involves travelling long distances, very few women come forward to join these posts. This will be a game-changer and an inspiration for other women to take up such challenging jobs in Indian Railways.

Thakur further stated that Western Railway is always encouraging the participation of women in each and every department, even in heavy duty jobs which were earlier considered as men’s domain. There are female porters across various stations of Bhavnagar Division while closer home. Preeti Kumari is the first Motorwoman in W. Rly to run Mumbai suburban local trains.

Now, the women of our country are ready to accept challenging jobs and proving their abilities beyond the threshold of household chores. Western Railway salutes the courage & determination of these braveheart women employees.