Mar 14, 2023
Surekha Yadav is Asia's first woman locomotive pilot. (Twitter image - @AshwiniVaishnaw)
Image Source: Agencies
She now runs the Vande Bharat Express on the Mumbai-Pune-Solapur section. (Twitter image - @IndiaHistorypic)
Image Source: Agencies
Yadav had expressed her desire to pilot the Vande Bharat Express when she had interacted with TOI in 2021 on the occasion of Women's day. (Twitter image - @AshwiniVaishnaw)
Image Source: Agencies
Piloted by Yadav, the Vande Bharat Express departed Solapur at the right time and reached CSMT five minutes before time.
Image Source: TNN
"I am thankful to the Indian Railways for giving me the opportunity to pilot the new-age, state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express train," Yadav said.
Image Source: TNN
Yadav underwent intensive training before she took over the piloting of the train on the route. (Twitter image - @drmmumbaicr)
Image Source: Agencies
Hailing from Satara, Yadav started her career as an assistant driver in 1989 and worked her way up to become a goods driver in 1996. (Twitter image - @drmmumbaicr)
Image Source: Agencies
In 2010, she graduated to a ghat driver, after which she was allotted duty on the Deccan Queen, which runs between the city and Pune.
Image Source: TNN
Yadav completed her schooling from St Paul Convent in Satara and went on to pursue a diploma in electrical engineering.
Image Source: TNN
She applied for a job in the railways and inspired women across generations to take up the challenging job of a loco pilot.
Image Source: TNN
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