On March 8, 2025, to commemorate International Women's Day, Central Railways made history by operating the Vande Bharat Express with an all-women crew for the first time ever. This historic event took place on the CSMT-Shirdi Vande Bharat Express, where the entire team, from the loco pilot to the assistant loco pilot, train manager, ticket collectors (TCs), and on-board catering staff, were all women.

Celebrating Women’s Strength and Leadership

This milestone is a proud achievement for Indian Railways, showcasing the strength, dedication, and leadership of women in a traditionally male-dominated field. In an empowering statement, Shweta Ghone, the Central Railway Passenger Train Manager, said, "This is a proud moment for us... If a woman can perform a hard task like giving birth, then what can't she do?" She further emphasized that society needs to understand the potential of women and how empowering them can contribute to national progress.

In an official statement, Swapnil Nila, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Central Railways, highlighted that this initiative was also extended to goods trains, where the entire crew was also comprised of women. He assured that the railway department would continue this initiative on other Vande Bharat trains as well.

The Role of Women in Indian Railways

The Central Railways celebrated this moment on social media by calling it a "proud and historic moment" that reflects the empowerment of women in Indian Railways. Their post shared on X (formerly Twitter) read, "HISTORIC MOMENT! For the first time ever, a Vande Bharat Express is being fully operated by an all-women crew, departing from CSMT on this #InternationalWomensDay!" The post also recognized the hard work and contributions of the loco pilot, assistant loco pilot, train manager, ticket examiners, and the on-board catering staff.

A National Tribute to Women’s Power

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to honor Nari Shakti, acknowledging the strength and contributions of women across the nation. In his message, he also announced that his social media platforms would be taken over by women from diverse fields, showcasing their achievements and empowering them on International Women’s Day.

"We bow to our Nari Shakti on #WomensDay! Our Government has always worked for empowering women, reflecting in our schemes and programmes," said PM Modi in his post, reinforcing the importance of women’s empowerment.

Looking Ahead

This historic event marks a significant step toward recognizing the vital roles women play in all sectors, including transportation and leadership. Central Railways aims to continue empowering women in the workforce, with further initiatives to expand women-led teams across their operations. With this landmark achievement, the railway sector is making strides toward gender equality and the advancement of women in leadership roles.