From Hyderabad Metro to Riyadh Metro: Indira’s amazing journey as loco pilot

Hyderabad: Indira Eegalapati, a pioneering female loco pilot from Hyderabad, is eager to drive Riyadh Metro, as the capital city of Saudi Arabia is set to witness the commencement of the rapid transit system by early 2025.

Currently, Riyadh Metro is conducting trial runs, and the 33-year-old Eegalapati has been involved in this world-class initiative for about five years.

Eegalapati began her career in the rapid transit sector as a train pilot with Hyderabad Metro before joining the Riyadh Metro. She has so far logged over 15,000 train kilometres.

She and two other Indian pilots joined the Riyadh Metro service in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic affected their orientation programme, so they had to attend the initial training sessions online.

“It has been a really good experience so far. The people of Saudi Arabia are very friendly and have a great culture. I can’t imagine that I have already completed five years here,” she told PTI.

As part of Vision 2030, the once conservative Saudi Arabian kingdom is promoting women's empowerment and providing equal opportunities without gender bias.

Born and raised in Dhullipalla in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Eegalapati moved to Hyderabad in 2006. She praised her father, who, despite being a mechanic, ensured the education of his three children. She is an IT engineering postgraduate who chose a career different from her friends. Her husband also works in the metro service abroad.