Agra Railway Division Celebrates Women's Day with Historic All-Women Crew Operation
In a landmark initiative marking International Women's Day, the Agra division of North Central Railway dedicated the operation of the Agra Cantt–New Delhi Intercity Express (train number 14211) entirely to women employees. This special event highlighted the expanding and crucial role women are playing in the operational framework of Indian Railways, demonstrating their capabilities across diverse and demanding functions.
Comprehensive All-Women Team Manages Critical Roles
Officials confirmed that the train was managed exclusively by a dedicated 12-member team of women staff, covering all key operational and security positions. This included loco pilots, train managers, ticket-checking personnel, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) officers. The initiative was designed to spotlight women's empowerment and the professional competence of women in critical railway operations.
Assistant loco pilot Varsha Singh, who operated the modern WAP-7 locomotive for this journey, expressed her honor, stating, "It was a privilege to safely take the train to its destination." Train manager Akanksha Tiwari, responsible for guarding the last coach, shared her pride, noting, "The job of a train manager is considered very difficult, and it is a matter of great pride to get this opportunity on Women's Day."
Station and On-Board Operations Handled by Women Professionals
At the station level, several women employees ensured seamless operations, contributing to the success of this special run. Key personnel included:
- Deputy chief ticket inspector Munni
- Senior chief commercial ticket clerk Khushboo Meena
- Deputy station superintendent Kunti Nagvanshi
- Pointsmen Shweta Maurya and Poonam Verma
On-board ticket-checking duties were efficiently managed by Deepali Singh and Anjali Shakya, maintaining passenger compliance and service standards throughout the journey.
Security Arrangements Overseen by Women RPF Personnel
Security for the train was comprehensively handled by women RPF personnel, ensuring passenger safety. The security team comprised sub-inspector Gulshan Chahal and constables Sapna, Vijayalakshmi, and Sangeeta Jat, who escorted the train, demonstrating women's growing presence in security and protection roles within the railways.
Initiative Aims to Promote Women's Empowerment in Railways
Public relations officer of the Agra railway division, Prashasti Srivastava, emphasized that this initiative was aimed at promoting women's empowerment and highlighting the capability of women professionals in critical operational roles. She noted that similar initiatives were conducted in other divisions of Northern Railway, such as the Jhansi division deploying an all-women crew to operate the Bundelkhand Express.
Srivastava added that this effort reflects the increasing participation of women in key areas of railway operations, including safety, management, and technical roles. Passengers on the train appreciated the effort, praising the professionalism and confidence displayed by the women staff, according to railway authorities.
Growing Number of Women Employees in Indian Railways
Notably, official data released last year indicates a significant rise in women's employment within Indian Railways. Over the last decade, the number of women employees has surpassed 1.1 lakh. The report reveals that women now constitute 8.2% of the total railway workforce, up from 6.6% in 2014. This growth includes over 2,000 women serving as loco pilots and nearly 800 women as train managers (guards), underscoring a positive trend toward gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields.
This Women's Day initiative by the Agra railway division not only celebrated the achievements of women but also set a precedent for future inclusivity and recognition of women's contributions to India's transportation infrastructure.
