Kerala: Women power in Railway's wagon maintenance

The all-women Wagon Maintenance team at the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is setting an extraordinary example before everyone with its hard work. The job, which was earlier dominated by men, has now begun to see a positive change with women being a major part of it.

Thiruvananthapuram: The only all-women mechanical batch of Wagon Maintenance in Indian Railways is moving forward into its third successful year at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.

The L batch (or Ladies Batch) of Railway Carriage and Wagon Maintenance section has brought about a difference to the existing system and has left many awe-struck.

Railway Wagon Maintenance, which used to be a section dominated and monopolised by the menfolk, is where these women mechanics instil change. People always had a question on whether women would be able to handle the heavy mechanical equipment at work. However, this 17-member group of women mechanics have achieved it all with grace and ease.

Women presence is there in the Carriage and Wagon Maintenance sections of all divisions in Indian Railways. But, an all-women batch is the pride of the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station.

"Women can work in any field and no work needs to be referred to as men’s monopoly," said the women mechanics in Thiruvananthapuram.

The safety check and assurance of Vanchinad Express, that leaves for Ernakulam from Thiruvananthapuram every evening is managed completely by this women team.

Always ready to do the under gear maintenance of the buffer, that extends from the back end of the train to the front end and the wheels on the tracks to ensure safety, air brake maintenance, these women are fighting the odds like champions.

Though the work was initially not easy for them, but with time, every task they undertook became a cakewalk for them.

It was in 2017 that the L- batch took up the Wagon maintenance of the train. A responsibility that was taken up with a little apprehension, is now an honour for the team and an inspiration to the society.

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