For first time, lady ticket checkers to be deployed on WR's long distance train

Western Railway (WR) will deploy lady ticket checkers on a long-distance train for the first time, reported Mumbai Mirror.

The two women ticket checkers, Neeru Wadhava and Radha Iyer, will be commencing duty in first class of Mumbai-Surat Intercity Express, scheduled to roll out of Mumbai on International Women’s Day i.e, March 8.

Depending on the success of this exercise in first class, at the end of three months, it will be replicated in sleeper class and general compartments as well. For this, 20 women with maximum experience have already been selected to take up the role of ticket checkers and have undergone training.

The original idea was to have one train entirely run by women staff, right from the train escorts to the loco pilot, said Divisional railway manager, WR, Mukul Jain. But that plan was dropped when they realised that they didn't have any woman loco pilot.

However, the Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh has decried the move, saying that it should be a onetime exercise to mark International Women’s Day.

“Women should be given lighter duty as they have the responsibility of their family. Besides, what if something goes wrong during the journey? Will a woman be able to handle five passengers together?,” Ajay Singh, Divisional secretory of the Sangh told the daily.