Ghaziabad loco pilot Shrini Srivastava makes mark after Vande Bharat feat

Shrini Srivastava has become the new face of Vande Bharat Sleeper. The woman from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh has been entrusted with a significant role in the train operations. From being among the women railway employees who operated a Vande Bharat train to taking on a responsibility aboard one of India's newest long-distance trains, Srivastava has come a long way. The assistant loco pilot from Ghazipur, has been selected as part of the operating crew of the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, which was flagged off on October 31, 2026.Now her journey has become an inspiration of determination, dedication and women's growing presence in India's railway network.From Ghazipur to the Indian RailwaysSrivastava is from Ghazipur district in eastern Uttar Pradesh. After completing her higher education, she chose a technically demanding profession that requires extensive training and responsibility.After completing her electronics engineering, she joined Indian Railways as an assistant loco pilot in April 2017 and got posted in the Varanasi railway division.As per a 2024 report by Dainik Jagran, Shrini is the youngest of three sisters and her father, Pankaj Srivastava, retired from the Public Works Department. Her mother, Maya Srivastava, is a homemaker.The Vande Bharat milestone that brought her recognitionShrini's association with Vande Bharat trains goes back to the early years of her railway career. In 2024, she made headlines after successfully operating the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express as an assistant loco pilot. She was reported to be the first woman assistant loco pilot in the North Eastern Railway zone to operate the semi-high-speed train.She made the headlines after receiving an invitation to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June 2024. She was selected for recognition of her contribution to operating the Vande Bharat Express.A new responsibility aboard the Vande Bharat SleeperVande Bharat trains to be exported to several countries in 3-4 years, Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw saysAnd in October 2026, Shrini was again in the spotlight for her selection as an assistant loco pilot in the operating crew of the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The train was flagged off from Varanasi on October 31, 2026, in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.As per reports, the 13-member operating crew includes seven women. Shrini is among those entrusted with operational responsibilities, while Jyoti Kumari has been assigned the role of guard. The participation of women in different operational positions makes the new service particularly significant.More about Varanasi–Delhi Sleeper ExpressThe new Vande Bharat Sleeper service is designed to make overnight journeys between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital more comfortable.The train leaves Varanasi at 8:50 pm and reaches New Delhi at 6:10 am the following morning. On its return journey, it departs New Delhi at 9:40 pm and arrives in Varanasi at 7:10 am.The train passes through:PrayagrajKanpur CentralAligarhGhaziabadThe sleeper version is designed for long-distance overnight travel, with sleeping arrangements, improved passenger amenities and advanced safety features. It also incorporates regenerative braking, an energy-efficient system that helps recover energy during braking.Breaking barriers Breaking barriers Loco pilot duties are often associated with long working hours, demanding schedules and the responsibility of operating trains safely across different routes. Women entering this profession are gradually challenging conventional ideas about which jobs are suitable for them.And Shrini's journey is interesting because her achievements have come through consistent work over the years rather than a single moment in the spotlight.From joining Indian Railways in 2017 to being recognised for her contribution to Vande Bharat operations in 2024 and now being selected for the Vande Bharat Sleeper operating crew, she has continued to take on new responsibilities.