Gandhi Nagar becomes country’s first all-women railway station on the main line

JAIPUR: Be it station master

Angella Stella

or ticket collector Vandana Sharma; everyone at the

Gandhi Nagar

station had smile on their faces on Monday afternoon. They were basking in the glory of being on duty at the country’s first all-women railway station.

On Monday, Gandhi Nagar of Jaipur became country’s first all-women railway station in the main line category of the Indian railways. Gandhi Nagar railway station has a footfall of nearly 7000 passengers per day and of the 50 trains which pass by, 25 trains halt here.

Officials of North Western railways (NWR) have deployed a woman employee on every single post including station superintendent, head ticket collector, point woman, RPF constable, station master, ticket reservation clerk and enquiry clerk here.

It was a proud moment for the women staff, who were congratulated by TP Singh, general manager, NWR on the inaugural function on Monday afternoon.

“Women have always proved that they are equal to men. Thus, it is a pleasure for me to announce Gandi Nagar as the first railway station of the country. It is a challenging job and I hope all women employees deployed here will meet the expectations of the passengers,” said Singh while talking to TOI on Monday.

He asserted that Gandhi Nagar is now first all-women railway station in the main line category of the Indian railways. “Matunga railway station of Mumbai is also managed by women and it is in the sub-urban category while our station is first in the main line category,” he added.

Performing the regular duties for the first time at Gandhi Nagar railway station, Apoorva and Vandana Sharma nabbed a man who was freely roaming at the railway station without a platform ticket. “We have slapped a fine of Rs 260 on him,” said an elated Vandana.

Angela Stella, who completed one year in the Indian railways was excited and happy with the new responsibility. “I have never thought I would be handling a station which would be all-women within one year of my job. I will abide by all the safety norms and apply standard operating practice while working,”

Stella

said.