Panaji: For nearly five decades since the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) was established in 1980, the steering wheel of its public transport buses has remained overwhelmingly a man’s domain. That is set to change with the induction of Pooja Vaingankar (32) who will become the first woman heavy-vehicle driver recruited by the state-run corporation.Vaingankar, however, is not stepping into the heavy-vehicle world as a novice. She already has experience driving goods vehicles on interstate routes, a background that helped her stand out during KTC’s selection process.“It feels very exciting to know that I have been selected,” she said.“Women have been driving cars and bikes for years but rarely do we see representation from the female gender in this line of work. I struggled while growing up so I always had the urge to be self-sufficient. I had always been fond of cars and had learnt how to drive from a person who I consider to be my guru. Eventually, the transition from cars to trucks happened and before I knew it, there came an opportunity to work for a private company as a goods carrier driver, and I took it up. After a few years of doing so when KTC opened vacancies, I decided to apply and got shortlisted.”For 46 years, women interested in driving KTC’s heavy vehicles have had to contend with the perception that the job is physically demanding, technically difficult and inherently suited to men. Vaingankar’s journey challenges that assumption by placing an experienced woman in the driver’s seat of a state-run public transport corporation.KTC managing director Rohan Khaskar described her as a talented driver and said her driving abilities, including her technical handling of a heavy vehicle, were assessed during the selection process.“Unlike someone learning to handle a heavy vehicle for the first time, she has been driving trucks for several years. Her experience includes driving between Goa and Belgaum, giving her familiarity with long-distance heavy-vehicle operations. That experience could prove valuable as she makes the transition to passenger transport,” Khaskar told TOI.The precise route on which Vaingankar will be deployed has not yet been finalised. KTC officials said she could be assigned a route convenient for her, considering that she is based in Bicholim. Possibilities include a regular daytime shuttle or routes such as Margao-bound services, depending on the route she is comfortable operating.Her first day behind the wheel of a KTC bus is expected only after the ongoing recruitment and medical formalities are completed.“KTC is currently completing medical tests for a larger intake of personnel, with approximately 250 conductors and 100 drivers forming part of the recruitment process. Vaingankar will therefore be joining the services along with the rest of them from next week onwards,” Khaskar said.Her appointment comes at a time when KTC’s workforce is gradually becoming more gender-diverse, with nearly 40 women conductors and four new women traffic controllers already part of its ranks. TOI had reported on the development on Sept 28.
