Archana Atram of the Pune division becomes MSRTC’s (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s) first female driver. She drove the ST Bus from Saswad to Nira (in Pune District).
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised her as well, tweeting, “Another glass ceiling shattered! Ms. Archana Atram makes history by becoming the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s first female driver. She drove the ST Bus from Saswad to Nira (in Pune District). Soon, we shall see Ms. Atram with a female bus conductor, and all passengers receiving a 50% fare reduction will be female as well! Congratulations to Archana and all of the female drivers who have joined MSRTC!”
Archana is one of the hundred women ST bus drivers who have been selected for the post by MSRTC. Their selection was done in 2019 but due to pandemic their training could not be completed. A total of 18 of them were undergoing training in the Pune division and 6 have now joined the service after completion of their training recently.
Archana is from Sarkani village of Kinvat, Nanded district. The MSRTC had started recruiting women as conductors on the ST buses but the driver post was only reserved for men till now.
Meanwhile the MSRTC celebrated its 75th anniversary of Amrut Mahotsav on Wednesday June 14.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was invited as chief guest but he skipped the function due to health reasons. Officially DyCMO said, ” Fadnavis has been advised rest for three days by doctor. He has ear problem.”