145-year-old DHR gets first woman ticket collector

Siliguri: Sarita Yolmo (55) made history by becoming the first woman senior commercial-cum-ticket collector (CTC) to serve on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR)—an Unesco-recognised world heritage site—in its 145 years of service. A resident of Sonada and currently living in Dagapur, Siliguri, Yolmo joined the Indian Railways in 1991.
"I was assigned to take charge of the DHR on Feb 5 and conducted the toy train from NJP to Darjeeling. The next day, I returned to NJP from Darjeeling. Again, on Feb 8, I was assigned the uphill journey to Darjeeling and the downhill journey to NJP on Feb 9. I will probably be assigned the uphill route again next week," Yolmo said. She initially worked in the press section at Kurseong. After the closure of the press unit in 2019, she was transferred to the commercial department at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) as a senior CTC, where she handled enquiry services, announcements and carried out ticket-checking duties. Though she served on several mail and express trains over the years, this was her first assignment on the DHR. Speaking to TOI over the phone from Barsoi Junction, Yolmo said she felt ‘proud' to break the long-standing gender barrier, even though she was both excited and nervous initially. "Usually, there are multiple staff members on mail and express trains. But on the DHR, I was alone. I felt nervous and even scared initially. It is a hilly route with sharp curves, and the safety of many passengers depends on you," she said. Yolmo described the opportunity as a proud and unforgettable moment. "Being part of the DHR gives me immense pride as it is one of the most renowned heritage railways in the world," she added. Her husband, Dawa Yolmo, was formerly a senior section engineer at the DHR workshop in Tindharia and was later transferred to Siliguri Junction in the Civil and Works (CW) department. He retired a year ago. DHR director Rishab Choudhary said this marked a significant break from its long-standing legacy.