For ages, moving goods was a man’s job, while women tended to the home. That perception got altered over time. It is no longer a Western reality but has crept onto the Indian landscape.
Not a single day passes without social media showcasing women at the wheels of heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) or lorries, as we know. Chellamani from Sankiri, near Salem, Tamil Nadu, entered my world a decade ago. Strangely, the occasion was another lady truck driver, Yogita Raghuvanshi – an educated widow forging her path to independence from her in-laws with two kids – who was being felicitated with a brand-new Mahindra truck as a token of appreciation by the giant automaker.
Chellamani, though older and more experienced, missed the opportunity to receive the gift. Yogita has since become the face of the movement, and countless words and documentaries have been created to depict the life and times of trucking in the male-dominated, unorganised sector.
Steps To Honour Women Truck Drivers
Both these ladies’ stories flashed through my mind as the Centre for Driver Relationship Management (CDRM), founded and led by me, took a novel initiative in 2024 to recognise, reward, and honour truck drivers whose services often go unappreciated. This initiative automatically included lady truck drivers, also featured in Season 2, which was held in December last year.
Delhi-based cab driver-turned-truck driver Seema Chaudhury, who steers trucks for BLR Logistiks in Pune, won the award in the Lady Truck Driver category. In the recently concluded Season 3 (June 2025), Shahira Kaif Pathan, a Kolhapur-based owner-driver, received the award. She drives 125 km daily, one way, to buy vegetables and fruits in neighbouring Karnataka wholesale markets, distributing them along the way and in her hometown.
Dr. Mamta Singh, owner of a 2000-vehicle fleet at Instant Transport Solutions, recalls her challenges in convincing Kaif to join. “I got involved after she rejected my colleague, C V Kumar, by refusing to participate in a WhatsApp video call, which was a required step in the jury process for evaluating nominees. After multiple attempts to persuade her, her husband and her son, she finally agreed to the WhatsApp video call.”
Kaif was like gold once she opened up, and Dr Singh could not stop going ga-ga over her. Kaif came for the awards ceremony and collected the award in person. Uff!
Previously, CDRM was surprised by hosting Kaif, another impressive lady, who amazed us. Gunjan Sharma from Ahmedabad runs a convoy logistics company that assists manufacturers of trucks, buses, vans, and other vehicles in transporting goods from factories to distant dealer networks and body-building workshops across India.
A half-dozen female drivers were selected, trained, and assigned to brand-new forensic vehicles, then sent from Chakan, Pune, to Jammu. They were part of a 40-member convoy of forensic vehicles bought by the Jammu and Kashmir government. “It’s not over. Wait for more women’s participation in trucking,” Gunjan says cheerfully before launching the convoy recently.
By the way, Tata Steel has hired several women truck drivers at its Viramgam, Gujarat, plant for last-mile delivery. They operate environmentally friendly, CNG-fueled Greenline trucks that transport Tata products within a 200 km radius. This eco-friendly process allows them to drive, deliver, and return home the same day.
While Monisha’s case differed from those of other women drivers. The boredom of living alone while her husband, a truck driver, was away from home most of the time, led Monisha to take up driving. Now the Sharmas drive together pan-India.
How To Get Rid Of The Driver Shortage
The induction of lady drivers is timely, given that India faces a 22% driver shortage. While Chellamani and Yogita handle long-haul wheels, Kaif and the Viramgam crew manage the shorter routes.
With improvements in Indian highways, more advanced vehicles, and increased cabin comfort, female drivers could help alleviate the shortage by taking on long-haul trips (1,000 km and above) traditionally handled by men. Lady drivers are here to stay, adding “colour” to the Indian highwayscape.
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