For The First Time, All-Women Crew Operates CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat Train — WATCH

Central Railways commemorated International Women's Day by operating a Vande Bharat Express from CSMT to Shirdi with an all-women crew, including the loco pilot, train manager, and train hostesses.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Central Railways is operating a Vande Bharat Express train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Shirdi with an all-women crew.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Central Railway announced about this development and said, "For the first time ever, a Vande Bharat Express is being fully operated by an all-women crew, departing from CSMT on this #InternationalWomensDay!"

The post further reads that CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat (Train No - 22223) has an all-women crew today, including the loco pilot, assistant loco pilot, train manager, TCs and train hostesses.

Central Railway CPRO Dr Swapnil Nila said, as quoted by news agency ANI, "Indian railway has always enabled women's empowerment. Today, on the occasion of International Women's Day, Central Railway is running the CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat with an all-women crew... Central Railways is trying to take such initiatives in other Vande Bharat trains as well and run a goods train with an all-women staff, too..."

Surekha Shankar Yadav, Loco Pilot Mail of Central Railway Mumbai, said that she was happy that she got an opportunity to be a part of the team.

What Crew Members Said?

Central Railway Passenger Train Manager, Shweta Ghone said, "This is a proud moment for us... If a woman can perform a hard task like giving birth, then what can't she do? Society needs to understand this. When a woman becomes capable, she can make her entire family capable. If every woman becomes capable, then how can our country not progress?..."

CSMT-Shirdi Train Hostess Rubina Begum said, "Every woman should be self-reliant and independent... I am very happy to participate in International Women's Day."