Bhubaneswar(Kalinga Voice) : With the outbreak of COVID-19, we have a range of ‘Corona warriors’ celebrated across the country for ‘fighting’ the ‘battle’ from the front. There is still one more group- Our women staff, working as Loco Pilots, Station Masters, Guard, Token Porter, Gang women, Technicians, Ticket Collectors, RPF personnel etc.
During the countrywide lockdown, Railways had to suspend all its passenger services from 22nd March, 2020. But during this period, goods and Parcel trains kept running, transporting essential goods and commodities across the country. Subsequently Sharmik special Trains and Special Trains were started to carry stranded passengers from different places and to cater to the emergent needs of the people. These women warriors of East Coast Railway are at the forefront of running these trains and helping in Train operation.
At one end they are working as Loco Pilots, Station Masters and Guards and involving in direct train running duties, at other end they are working as Gang women, Supervisor, Helper, Technician, Electricians, carriage staff, gate keeper and taking on the most arduous jobs of Track, Wagon, Overhead equipment, coach maintenance, signal maintenance and attending other emergency breakdown jobs round the clock. These women maintenance employees are working tirelessly to ensure safe running of trains.
They are also working as RPF personnel, ticket checking cleanliness staff and are directly involved in ensuring COVID safety protocols at stations. Women have been working in Train escort, station patrolling and for food distribution to the needy during lockdown. They are working round the clock for safety and security of the passengers.
These women warriors are playing a cohesive role in protecting, safeguarding, and transporting the passengers. They have displayed great devotion to their duty in these testing times and their performance has been remarkable.
