The Kochi Metro is physically and metaphorically breaking new ground: When construction wrapped up, the labourers were thanked with a heartwarming gesture. And now the Metro has more women and transpersons on its staff than any other in the country.
In a statement on their official Facebook page, the officials said:
It has been a long journey for the whole team of Kochi Metro Rail Limited, and we would like to take a bow to all our fellow labourers and other workers for doing their part in making our Kochi’s dream a reality.
So here are five things that the Kochi Metro did, that make it truly amazing.
Thanked Migrant Workers with a Dinner and Dance Party
Before the Metro’s official launch on 19 June, the officials decided to show their gratitude towards the migrant workforce with a large meal. They threw a traditional banquet know as 'sadhya' for around 800 migrant workers from across the country.
Made a Permanent Message Board with the Workers’ Messages
To show the support, the labourers jotted down their names on the message board. The messages were written in every language from Hindi and English to Telugu and Malayalam.
Employed Women Train Drivers
The Kochi Metro will have the largest contingent of women staff members out of all seven metro systems in India, including women train drivers.
Employed Transpersons on its Staff
Kochi Metro Rail Limited shunned stigma and stereotypes by recruiting 23 transpersons for its operations starting in June.
Kerala had become the first Indian state to build a ‘Transgender Policy’ in 2016, following which the Kochi Metro had offered jobs to the transgender community, taking a positive step towards merging the community with the mainstream society.
Truly Made in India
The Kochi Metro received the first Made in India train coaches from Alstom in January. The coaches represent a landmark achievement for Indian engineering, as previous metro projects have had to rely on coaches built by Japan or Germany.
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