Change our dept if you can't improve work conditions: Women train drivers

Over 1500 female loco pilots and assistants face challenges including lack of washroom facilities, nocturnal technical duties, and transport provision

Women train drivers have urged the Railway Board to either improve their "pitiable" working conditions or allow them to shift to other departments.

A group of female loco pilots, who are members of the All India Railwaymen Federation, recently gave a representation to the Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha, highlighting their plight and demanding "a one-time cadre change" option. Lack of toilet facilities in engines, inability to change menstruation pads, mandatory provision to get out of the engine to attend to any technical glitch even at night and no pick-up and drop-off facility for late-night duties are some of the problems cited by the women train drivers.