Karthika, first woman loco pilot from Idukki, tread a tough path to realise her dream

It was Karthika’s indomitable spirit and will to pursue her dreams that inspired her in the journey from a ‘layam’ (quarters of estate employees) in Vandiperiyar to Chennai Central, one of the biggest railway stations in the country. R Karthika (28) hails from Idukki in Kerala which lacks rail connectivity, but that didn’t prevent her from becoming the first woman loco pilot from the hill district.

The ancestors of Karthika’s parents, Rajan and Manomani, had arrived in Vandiperiyar from Tamil Nadu to work in plantations. Rajan, who currently resides at Dymock Estate, Vandiperiyar, initially worked as a bus conductor. Karthika studied at Lutheran LP School at Dymock Estate until class 4 and joined Vandiperiyar Panchayat UP School for class 5.

However, she could not attend classes on many days as the trip to school involved a long walk and bus travel. Finally, Karthika’s parents took her to Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu, where her grandmother lived, and enrolled her in a school there for class 6.

After completing her school education in Tenkasi, Karthika earned a BTech degree from Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology in Virudhunagar. Subsequently, she cleared the competitive exam and physical fitness test conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board with flying colours to receive the appointment as loco pilot. Karthika’s first posting was in Tiruchirappalli division.

A challenging profession for women
Karthika says that women will enjoy the job of piloting trains only if they have a good presence of mind and an adventurous spirit. “This is because several unexpected challenges could emerge during duty, which involves travelling around 250 km a day,” she says.

“We have received orders to be ready like soldiers on the battlefront. A call to join duty could be expected anytime,” says Karthika. Even though the duty time is 10-12 hours, it could last more as trains often run late.

Initially, Karthika worked in good trains as assistant loco pilot from Thiruvottiyur depot under Chennai division. Three years later, she earned a promotion to passenger trains, which travel at twice the speed of goods trains. “While goods trains move at a maximum speed of 60 kmph, those carrying passengers can attain speeds of up to 130 kmph,” says Karthika.

Piloting a train could seem an easy job for many people, but the reality is different, according to Karthika. “We have to report at the railway station two hours before the arrival of the train. Each loco pilot would be entering the lobby carrying a bag weighing 15-20 kg containing items such as food, clothes, drinking water, torch and flag. The train order will be issued to the loco pilots after biometric and breathalyzer tests,” she says.

The senior loco pilot would be in charge of the locomotive and the assistant loco pilot’s tasks include keeping a watch on signals, speed and track changes. “You should be extremely alert and cautious when there is a situation where a train travelling at 130 kmph has to be stopped suddenly,” says Karthika.

Good physical fitness is needed for the work, which could be tough for many women, she adds. “The engine room of a large number of trains lack air-conditioning and you have to tolerate severe heat and the rumblings of the engine. Moreover, washroom facilities would be available only at railway stations. Loco pilots could also develop health problems owing to irregular meals and insufficient water intake,” she says.

Similarly, loco pilots have to get down from the train if any passenger pulls the chain and check the issue along with the guard. “I have faced the situation in forest areas, isolated spots and even on a bridge,” informs Karthika.

Yet another task which requires physical exertion is attaching and detaching the engine. However, her childhood in Idukki has given Karthika the necessary strength to overcome such challenges.

Family details
Karthika’s husband Prasanth is also an assistant loco pilot in Chennai division and the couple’s daughter Nithila Taragai is studying in class 6.

Karthika’s mother Manomani was earlier a member of the Vandiperiyar panchayat, representing the Congress party. Her younger sister Nandini is pursuing a BSc Nutrition course. Karthika’s father Maniyan is currently running a tea shop in Vandiperiyar.