All-women crew train launched in Waltair division

Visakhapatnam: On the concluding day of the week-long celebrations of International Women’s Day (IWD), the Guntur–Rayagada Express was operated by an all-women crew from Visakhapatnam to Rayagada.

The train was flagged off by Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra at Visakhapatnam Railway Station on Monday.

Waltair Division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) has consistently been at the forefront of promoting women’s empowerment, actively engaging women in various roles such as track maintenance, train operations, and other key areas. Women employees are playing vital roles in route relay interlocking operations, train management, loco operations, ticket checking, and office administration. The division has also established all-women teams at loco sheds responsible for maintaining crucial parts of locomotives. In addition, dedicated women’s security teams—Meri Saheli and Subhadra Vahini—are actively ensuring the safety and well-being of women passengers both on trains and at railway stations.

As part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, Waltair Division organized a series of events at Srinivasa Kalyana Mandapam, where DRM Bohra attended. The events included a seminar on “Understanding Child Psychology – A Guide for Working Women” delivered by Pragati Prajapati, primary teacher, Kendriya Vidyalaya, and a workshop on psychology and stress management conducted by Bhaghyasree Anant Barbadikar from Art of Living. Additionally, an awareness programme on women’s health and nutrition was delivered by Divisional Medical Officer Dr Bhashini Priyanka.