Surekha Yadav: Asia’s first woman train driver to hang her boots on Sept 30

By Business Vibes of India On Sep 23, 2025

Surekha Yadav, Asia's first woman train driver, at work

By Arun Kumar Das

New Delhi, Sept 23 (BVI) On September 30, when Surekha Yadav retires, she will leave behind a story about women’s empowerment and breaking barriers.

Surekha has got the distinction of being the first woman train driver in Asia, the credentials which make her an inspiration for many females, thousands of whom followed her footsteps.

Hailing from Satara in Maharashtra, she joined the Indian Railways on February 13, 1989 as Assistant Loco Pilot in Mumbai Division after completing Diploma in Electrical Engineering.

“When she joined, there was no woman train driver in the Indian Railways. No woman would come forward to haul the train,” said a senior Railway Ministry official.

But when she superannuates after 36 years of glorious service, she takes along the experience of piloting many Mail/Express trains, including the premier service Vande Bharat Express.

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She also may be credited with inspiring around 2250 women who are currently loco pilots, driving trains across the country.

Yadav’s story is not just about driving trains, it’s about driving change, breaking barriers, and proving that no dream is too distant and her journey will forever remain a symbol of women empowerment in Indian Railways.

Her career journey stands as a beacon of empowerment and motivation for future generations of women to pursue careers in Indian Railways and beyond.

After joining the Railways, she was given responsibility in shunting, then hauling goods trains and after that she became the first Motorwoman to drive local trains.

Subsequently, she was given responsibility of running trains in the Kasara–Igatpuri Ghat section. Ghat section is always considered as challenging because of frequent curves and heights.

Then she became the first woman to pilot the iconic Deccan Queen and later on Pushpak Express.

And finally she was given the chance to run Vande Bharat Express on March 13, 2024 and she became the first woman to pilot Vande Bharat Express between Solapur and Chatrapati Shivaji terminal.

Her stellar service and pioneering role have been recognised at national and institutional level which include Women Achiever Award (2001), Prerna Puraskar (2005), Central Railway Woman Achiever Award (2011),
General Manager Award (2011, 2017) and First Ladies Award from the President of India (2018) among others.

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. (BVI)