Try GOLD - Free
Kochi Metro zooms ahead on gender inclusive track; women make up half the loco pilot force
The New Indian Express Kannur
|April 10, 2025
AS the daughter of an autorickshaw driver, it's a special calling to be a loco pilot, says Gopika Santosh.
AS the daughter of an autorickshaw driver, it's a special calling to be a loco pilot, says Gopika Santosh. She was among the first seven women pilots appointed by the Kochi Metro, in June, 2016. Nine years down the lane, the number of women pilots has gone up to 30, which amounts to half of the train operators serving on the urban rail network.
While piloting a train mostly remains male-dominated, the Kochi Metro is breaking the gender barrier.
"The first batch of train operators had only 12 women. Now there are 30," Gopika tells TNIE.
This story is from the April 10, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kannur.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Kannur
The New Indian Express Kannur
Ola Electric board approves ₹1,500 cr fundraising as co scales EV, battery mfg
OLA Electric Mobility Limited has announced a major fundraising plan, with its Board of Directors approving a proposal to raise up to ₹1,500 crore.
1 min
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
'IIM Indore aspires to be a key architect of Vision 2050'
ing assignments, live projects, corporate internships and regular interactions with industry leaders. Beyond placements, the institute promotes entrepreneurship, offering structured mentoring, incubation support and seed funding for student-led ventures. What sets its approach apart is a commitment to employability over mere employment. By prioritising skill-building, adaptability and industry immersion, the institute prepares students to navigate an evolving job market, strengthens recruiter confidence and empowers graduates to pursue impactful, future-ready careers.
1 mins
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
How share buyback amount is taxed
Payment made by a company to buy back shares is deemed as ‘dividend income’ in the hands of shareholders
2 mins
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
5 kids HIV+ after blood transfusion in Jharkhand; civil surgeon suspended
HC took suo motu action, sought detailed report
1 min
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
Op Sindoor success makes festivals vibrant: PM
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Chhath festival, being widely observed across Bihar and other states, as reflecting India’s cultural and social unity, with devotees from all castes performing rituals together.
2 mins
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
CDS on six-day Indonesia visit to deepen security ties
TO further bolster ties between the two nations, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan reached Indonesia on Sunday for an official visit.
1 mins
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
EC to release schedule of pan-India SIR today
THE Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the schedule for the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on Monday, sources said.
1 min
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
Tribal groups rubbish govt's 'extreme poverty-free' claim
EVEN as the state government is gearing up to declare Kerala 'extreme poverty-free', majority of tribals are “continuing their struggles against hunger, unemployment and landlessness”.
1 min
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
WHY RETIREMENT CORPUS IDEAS NEED REVIEW
THIS Diwali, for most people in their 50s, the conversation centred around retirement. The moot point of discussion was ‘how much is enough’ to retire. It is a topic of discussion among the upper-middle-class and middle-class people.
2 mins
October 27, 2025
The New Indian Express Kannur
THEKUA AND THE DIVINE
TODAY is honoured across a wide swathe of Eastern India as the centrepoint of the four-day Chhath Puja or Surya Shashti Vrat.
4 mins
October 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size

