“Passion for the task kept me going, “states Surekha Yadav, Asia’s very first female loco pilot, who is set to retire on September 30 after 36 years of service.
The conducting loco-pilot, who matured in Maharashtra’s Satara district, laid the track for the 2,037 females who presently guide trains throughout India’s huge train network.
When Yadav, a diploma holder in electrical engineering, pertained to Mumbai to make money, little did she understand the pioneering function she would play and the barriers she would break.
Challenging conditions
“I cleared the examination for the assistant loco pilot and signed up with Central Railway after 6 months of training. Ladies generally do not decide to end up being a loco pilot as they need to operate in hard conditions. I was delighted when I cleared the examination and got an opportunity to end up being the very first female to run a train,” Yadav informedbusinessline
Provided the job of piloting products trains when she signed up with Central Railway in 1989, Yadav made her stimulates and moved to running traveler long-distance trains. In 2000, she began piloting Mumbai’s lifeline– regional trains on the Central Railway– and likewise ran trains in between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Thane-Badlapur-Karjat and Kasara. Yadav has actually likewise piloted the Mumbai-Pune pride, Deccan Queen, that passes through the hard Bhor Ghat.
“My moms and dads supported my choice to end up being a loco pilot in a male-dominated occupation, and after marital relationship, my other half too waited me,” she stated.
Yadav, who resides in Thane with her partner (a State federal government senior citizen) and 2 kids, has encouraging along with cautionary words for ladies who wish to replicate her.
Not a simple task
“Working as a loco pilot is not a routine or simple task. It includes working long hours, frequently throughout the night, and a single error might result in a significant train mishap,” she alerted.
“One will be needed to run trains under tight spots. Little obstacles likewise consist of that there are no restroom centers on board, and you can not simply leave the train to utilize one,” she stated.
And, yet, large enthusiasm made Yadav remain on track to reveal the method.
Released on September 22, 2025
