S Satyavathi, on Thursday, became the first independent woman loco pilot, after successfully running the Falaknuma-Lingampalli Mathrubhoomi Ladies Special MMTS in the South Central Railway.
She will single-handedly manage and operate MMTS trains, without the help of an assistant loco pilot.
After successfully clearing her MMTS training in January this year, Satyavathi was exposed to live handling and requisite track learning, and was subsequently found fit to run MMTS trains in suburban sections of the twin cities.
Earlier, she was promoted as loco pilot (goods) in September 2005, and had been shuttling goods trains in and around Hyderabad before her present promotion.
Satyavathi also underwent track learning in the Hyderabad-Tandur section, and wants to run main-line passenger trains, too.
The Secunderabad division of SCR is grooming 4 more women as assistant loco pilots.
Meanwhile, the Railway staff and union leaders congratulated Satyavathi for her successful MMTS drive, which coincided with International Women's Day. (INN)
filed in:International Womens Day, Women Rights, MMTS