Placeholder canvas
 
Close
Igniting Ideas For impact

Embarking on a transformative journey through six chapters, we traverse India's landscape, exploring pioneering startups and their revolutionary...

8 months

This Women ‘Gang’ Smashed a 165-Year-Old Glass Ceiling in NE Frontier Rail

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) centred in Guwahati, has deployed the country’s first ever all-women gang for the railway coach and pit line maintenance.

This Women ‘Gang’ Smashed a 165-Year-Old Glass Ceiling in NE Frontier Rail

There is a reason why the group of technicians, who inspect and carry forth the maintenance work of coaches in pit lines, are called gangmen.

A domain that has been handled by men throughout the 165-year history of Indian Railways, it is highly unlikely that you will find a woman being entrusted with the same responsibility.

However, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) centred in Guwahati, has broken the glass ceiling by deploying the country’s first ever all-women gang for the railway coach and pit line maintenance.

This group of 20 women, who had previously worked as the lone women technicians in groups of gangmen, was formalised yesterday, which also happened to be International Women’s Day.

The first all-women gang technicians. Source: Facebook.

“I have been involved in the maintenance of coaches for 12 years now. All these while, I have worked with men in groups. It feels wonderful to be part of an all-women team and to know that we are the first,” said Maituli Rajbongshi to Hindustan Times.


You may also like: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Will Soon Have All-Women Ticket Checking Crew


With six pit lines and 1,300 coaches, the coach maintenance depot at Guwahati is managed by a workforce of about 1,000 technicians, out of which 200 are women.

Each of the selected women partook in theoretical and practical training on pit lines that rendered intensive emphasis on safety checking measures over a period of three weeks.

Source: Facebook.

Previously involved in ancillary maintenance works like curtain repair and painting of the signage, they will now work on more technical areas like their male counterparts through the pilot project.

“More than empowering women, the project was taken up because it is convenient for these women to be part of an all-women team. To start with, they will work day shifts. If the project is a success, NFR plans to introduce more such all-women teams,” said Pranav Jyoti Sharma, the spokesperson of NFR.

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

This story made me

  • feel inspired icon
    97
  • more aware icon
    121
  • better informative icon
    89
  • do something icon
    167

Tell Us More


We bring stories straight from the heart of India, to inspire millions and create a wave of impact. Our positive movement is growing bigger everyday, and we would love for you to join it.

Please contribute whatever you can, every little penny helps our team in bringing you more stories that support dreams and spread hope.

Support the biggest positivity movement section image Support the biggest positivity movement section image
Shorts

Shorts

See All
 
X
 
Sign in to get free benefits
  • Get positive stories daily on email
  • Join our community of positive ambassadors
  • Become a part of the positive movement