Mumbai: On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable journey of Ity Pandey, a 1995 batch IRTS officer, who has broken barriers and set new benchmarks in Indian Railways. Currently serving as the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Bhusaval Division, she holds the distinction of being the first-ever female DRM in the history of the Bhusaval Division of Central Railway.

Her leadership, vision, and relentless dedication have brought significant transformations to the working system of the Bhusaval Division, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment and staff welfare.

Ity Pandey’s career is an inspiring tale of perseverance and excellence. She holds a Gold Medal in MA (Psychology) from the University of Allahabad and joined the Railway Services in 1996. Over the years, she has held several crucial positions, including Chief Commercial Manager (Passenger Services) at the Central Railway Headquarters and Chief Commercial Manager (Freight Services) at the Western Railway Headquarters.

Her contributions to the railway sector have earned her numerous accolades, including the Ministry of Railways Award for Excellence, the General Manager’s Award (twice), and the Women Achievers Award in 2016.

Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a marathon runner and holds the honor of being the only female Civil Servant from India to complete the prestigious Comrades Marathon in South Africa in 2023—a testament to her endurance and determination.

As the DRM of Bhusaval, Ity Pandey has taken groundbreaking steps to empower women and ensure their active participation in railway services. She introduced a separate railway quarter pool exclusively for female employees, ensuring their safety and comfort.

Ity Pandey has also pioneered the ‘Rudra – Hospital on Wheels’ initiative, a unique concept designed to cater to railway staff working in remote areas who otherwise struggle to access medical care. The mobile hospital travels fortnightly across the division, providing health check-ups and consultations for railway staff and their families, including pregnant women and children.

Under her leadership, the Bhusaval Division of Central Railway has developed a high-quality synthetic track in Bhusaval—the first in Jalgaon district. This initiative provides tribal schoolgirls and aspiring female athletes with free access to world-class sports facilities, encouraging sports participation and nurturing future champions.

As a firm advocate of environmental sustainability, she has led green energy projects across the division. Under her leadership, Devlali became the first Green Station of Central Railway.