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Kochi Water Metro is creating a milestone in India, not only by introducing the country's first water metro system but also by opening doors for women in a field that has always been dominated by men. Three young women, Arunima A from Alappuzha, Lekshmi R S from Kollam, and Sneha
S from Thiruvananthapuram, have completed almost three years of tough training and are set to become India's first female trainee boat pilots.
Kochi Metro to See New Heights
All three women hold diplomas in electronics and electrical engineering. At first, they were unsure if they could succeed in this line of work. But with strong determination and continuous support from the Kochi Water Metro team, they slowly gained confidence. Lekshmi explained that although they only had diploma qualifications, they passed the entry test and received full support from their trainers. She added that steering the boat, especially in the Fort Kochi stretch, was challenging at first, but they eventually mastered it along with urgent maintenance tasks.
Training Session for the New Boat Pilots
For Arunima, this experience changed her life. Her family initially doubted whether she could manage such a large, advanced vessel. Now, seeing her progress, they feel proud that women are entering this profession. During training, the women received a stipend of up to ₹19,000 along with other benefits. Their training covered all aspects of operating modern electric boats, handling ropes, understanding the vessel's systems, and learning to manage emergencies. Trainers say these boats are actually easier to control once the technology is understood. Their instruction also included emergency drills such as rescuing someone who has fallen into the water, using life-saving equipment, and managing the boat during high tides or technical issues.
The final step for the trainees is getting the 'Serang' Certificate from the Kerala Maritime Board, which will officially allow them to operate a boat on their own. Once they receive this licence, Kochi Water Metro plans to appoint them as independent boat pilots, inspiring many more women to join the field.
