Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the country, and the number of women working across its operations has grown considerably. From loco pilots driving express trains to stations run entirely by women, this guide covers the milestones, the roles women hold, and where things stand today.
Stations Run Entirely by Women
Matunga, Mumbai
Matunga on Central Railway’s main line became India’s first suburban station staffed entirely by women. Every role, including the station manager, booking clerks, announcers, ticket checking staff and the Railway Protection Force detachment, is held by women. The achievement earned a place in the Limca Book of Records.
Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur
Gandhi Nagar in Jaipur became the first non-suburban station operated round the clock entirely by women, covering both station operations and RPF duties.
Several other stations across different zones have since adopted the same model.
Women Loco Pilots
Driving trains was among the last operational roles to open to women, and the change came through individuals rather than policy alone.
Surekha Yadav became Asia’s first woman loco pilot in 1988, going on to drive express services and, decades later, the Vande Bharat Express. Her career opened a path that many have since followed, and women now work as loco pilots across passenger, express and goods services.
Where Women Work on the Railways
| Loco pilots | Driving passenger, express and goods trains |
| Ticket checking | TTEs on express services and suburban sections |
| Station operations | Station managers, booking clerks, announcers, pointsmen |
| Railway Protection Force | Security duties including women’s coach patrols |
| Engineering and technical | Workshops, signalling, electrical and civil engineering |
| Administration | Across divisions, zones and Railway Board |
Security for Women Passengers
Alongside employment, Railways has expanded provisions for women travelling:
- Ladies special trains on suburban networks in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
- Reserved ladies compartments on all suburban services.
- RPF teams monitoring ladies coaches, particularly during night hours.
- CCTV coverage at stations and in coaches, with AI-based detection at newer installations. See our CCTV in railways guide.
- Lower berth quota for women aged 45 and above and for pregnant women. See our lower berth quota guide.
- Helpline 139 for security assistance during a journey.
Facilities at Stations
Stations have added provisions including sanitary pad vending machines, separate waiting rooms, and baby feeding rooms at redeveloped stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ Which is India’s first all-women railway station?
Matunga in Mumbai was the first suburban station staffed entirely by women, and Gandhi Nagar in Jaipur the first non-suburban station operated round the clock by women.
✅ Who was India’s first woman loco pilot?
Surekha Yadav, who became Asia’s first woman loco pilot in 1988 and later drove the Vande Bharat Express.
✅ Can women work as loco pilots on Indian Railways?
Yes. Women work as loco pilots across passenger, express and goods services, recruited through the standard Railway Recruitment Board process.
✅ What security is provided for women passengers?
Ladies special trains, reserved compartments, RPF monitoring during night hours, CCTV coverage, and the 139 helpline.
Quick Summary
| First all-women suburban station | Matunga, Mumbai |
| First all-women non-suburban station | Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur |
| First woman loco pilot | Surekha Yadav, 1988 |
| Roles held | Loco pilots, TTEs, station staff, RPF, engineering, administration |
| Passenger provisions | Ladies specials, reserved compartments, RPF patrols, 139 |
For more, see our guides on ladies quota in trains and railway helpline numbers.