3000 gangwomen sure form a big gang

Indian railways is the largest employer in India;no news in that.But that they employ 3000 gang women on their roles was news to me. Gangwomen are the ones who keep a look out and maintain specified length of tracks everyday for 6 days a week. It is no doubt an ardous job, but has been willingly shouldered by these women. Hats off to them.Till 1980s railways never appointed them, they used to have only 'gangmen'!
It is said, that originally some of the gangwomen were given employment due to death of their husbands during service. Now railway recruitment board also recruits from the market, these women, to do a very challenging job. 10,15 of them come under a supervisor and they do mention that they are no different in taking up their assignment as their male counterparts. In fact, they do a more sincere job, we are told.
What is the exact nature of their jobs, i was curious to know.The list is mind boggling;They deal with minor problems like fixing small deviations, rearranging ballast, pour water to cool the tracks;they carry hemp cord, metre stick, fish bolt spanner, hand signal flags, detonators and much more.
They are quite happy with their lot and one of them proudly says she has managed to send her daughter to study in an engineering college.Another gangwoman has been able to save a person who attempted suicide on the railway track.