Throughout her career, Yadav has worked in multiple capacities, including shunting, goods trains, motorwoman duties, and, most recently, mail and express trains. (Photo: X/Central_Railway)
Come 30 September, Surekha Shankar Yadav, Asia’s first woman locomotive pilot, will retire after 36 years of dedicated service. Currently working in the Central Railway’s Mumbai division, Yadav has the distinction of being the continent’s first woman to operate a locomotive.
Hailing from Satara, Maharashtra, she joined the Indian Railways on 13 February 1989 as the first woman loco pilot. Today, she serves as a loco pilot (mail) under Central Railways, a position she has held with distinction for decades.
Throughout her career, Yadav has worked in multiple capacities, including shunting, goods trains, motorwoman duties, and, most recently, mail and express trains. She became the first woman to operate goods trains, EMUs, and iconic services like the Deccan Queen, the Pushpak Express, and the Vande Bharat Express (Solapur–CSMT on 13 March 2024).
ED (I&P) Dileep Kumar said, “Over 36 years of service, Surekha Yadav has shattered stereotypes and paved the way for women in railway operations. From being the first woman Assistant Loco Pilot to commanding India’s prestigious trains like the Deccan Queen, Rajdhani Express, and Vande Bharat Express, she has consistently exemplified professionalism, precision, and safety.”
He added, “Surekha Yadav’s story is not just about driving trains, it’s about driving change, breaking barriers, and proving that no dream is too distant.”
Yadav’s work has been recognised nationally and institutionally. Some of her awards include:
Dileep Kumar highlighted Yadav’s influence on aspiring railway professionals. “Her journey is a beacon of empowerment and inspiration for more than 1,600 Loco Pilots across Indian Railways, motivating future generations of women to pursue careers in Indian Railways and beyond.”
Central Railway, her employer zone, called Yadav “a trailblazer who broke barriers and inspired countless women by becoming Asia’s first woman loco pilot.” The organisation added, “Her journey will forever remain a symbol of women’s empowerment in Indian Railways.”
Surekha Yadav’s career stands as a testament to determination, courage, and breaking stereotypes in a traditionally male-dominated profession. Her legacy will inspire generations to come.
