Last year, the Mumbai Police saved save more than ₹70 lakh, thanks to the tireless efforts of 34 women constables who double up as mechanics in the Motor Transport Department.
These women have broken another glass ceiling and the gender stereotype in what is usually seen as a male-dominated job. Standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts, these women constables not only repair motorcycles but also jeeps and cars. The Mumbai Police, in all, owns 4,027 vehicles and they occasionally end up in the able hands of these women in the Motor Transport Department for maintenance and repair work.
Worthy of reward
Mumbai Police Commissioner Datta Padsalgikar says, “These women repair vehicles such as Boleros and other heavy four-wheelers within weeks. It would take more than two months if a private contractor was handed the job. We are thankful to these women and we will be rewarding them.”
The Motor Transport Section of Maharashtra Police was established in 1948 to cater to the mobility needs of police personnel in the State. Then male constables used to usually double up as drivers and mechanics. But for the past few years, the department has seen a rise in women constables who are interested not only in driving but also repairing and giving them a fresh coat of paint.
The Mumbai Police provides security to VVIPs every day and use vehicles for the department to safely escort them around the city. The department, supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police Atul Patil and Police Inspector Sanjay Jagdale, ensure the vehicles are kept in perfect condition.
Constable Nazmunita Munaf Khan says she repairs 10 to 12 beat marshal bikes every day. On the job for the past 21 years, Ms. Khan has undergone training in the electrical department. She says, “In those days, there were very few of us who opted to be mechanics as it involved a lot of manual labour. Now, many women are interested as technology has made the job a bit easier.”
Purnima Khadtade, who repairs seats of vehicles, says eight women constables are in-charge of the job. She says, “We invite tenders and take quotations. We finalise the parts of the vehicles to be bought right from the seat covers to rear view mirrors and then fix them. It is an interesting job.”
