Mirza Salma Beg(22)Is The Only Woman Manning A Level Crossing in India

 

Mirza Salma Beg's job description isn't very gender neutral. The 22-year-old humanities graduate from Lucknow is the only woman 'gateman' that India has.

The Chief Public Information Officer of Northern Railways told  that they have no record any other woman working as a 'gateman' in India as of now.

A 'gateman' is a person who operates level crossings in Indian Railways. Their job includes closing the gates and shutting road traffic before a train passes a point where people frequently cross the tracks in other vehicles or by foot. The gate is usually opened and closed with the help of a winch, which has to be operated manually. A winch comprises a spool with a wire or rope around it and a hand crank, which has to be moved to adjust the tension in the rope or chain.

At the Malhaur station in Lucknow, Salma's team comprises eleven male gatemen apart from herself.