Interview Times 
A woman alone has power, but women as a group have an effect, as I constantly say. Because there were so few jobs at the top, we were traditionally encouraged to be competitive with one another. It is so obvious that this tactic fails. The reality is that the only real way we can alter the situation—and have a lot more fun doing it—is by lifting each other up and utilizing the power of teamwork.
We are currently conversing with a woman who is today bridging the road of heights, Ms.Dipti Mahapatro.
Women can multitask and have a naturally adaptable nature. To guarantee that everyone’s wants and concerns are addressed in order to achieve holistic development, there is a lot of emphases these days placed on having representation from all groups of people. The majority of workers in the transportation industry have historically been men. She was the only female officer in the Company when CRUT was founded and she joined as the General Manager (P & A). She has established policies and practices to ensure that CRUT’s services are gender sensitive and responsive because she is aware of the challenges that women in particular experience in the mobility sector. Currently, 40% of their guides are female, out of the 50% reserved for women who operate Mo Bus as guides (conductors). For Sarathis (drivers) of Mo E-Ride, there is a strict 100% reserve for women, transgender persons, and people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, women are represented in each Division of the CRUT Office. Recently, CRUT also hired female Captains (drivers) of Mo Bus, paving the way for a workforce that is fully inclusive of gender. She wished for a transportation business to implement these urgent improvements.
I’ve never made a distinction between the job I do in the workplace and the work I do at home. The family I have at work is larger than my family at home. For me, serving the public and doing my profession well go hand in hand. By doing this, I can make a positive impact on society and help it grow and change in whatever small way I can. Contents, Ms. Mahapatro.
Ms. Dipti Mahapatro recieving the 14th UMI Award
- As the general manager of one of the most prominent transportation sectors in this region, what reforms do you like to see?
Other than the gender-inclusive policies that I have already spoken about, there is a lot more to achieve. It’s like the foundation has only been laid and now the main structure needs to be built. Science and technology are making advancements with each passing day and we need to be up on our toes all the time to ensure that even we are updated and at par with the changing times. CRUT recently launched its fleet of zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs) – E-Buses and E-Rickshaws. While the E-Buses are plying under the existing brand name of the city bus service – Mo Bus; the E-Rickshaws are known as Mo E-Ride. With the introduction of the EVs of CRUT, we have paved the way for forging Green Mobility in the State.
As the name suggests, public transport means transportation that is for the public. CRUT truly values the commuters whom it serves and the CRUT team strives hard and works relentlessly to provide the public with seamless service. We are lucky to have the support of the State Government in the initiatives that we come across and are equally fortunate to have the ever-increasing demand from the public for our services. The plan is to extend our Mo Bus service and its feeder service provided by Mo E-Ride across the capital region of Odisha to meet the demand of the public. CRUT follows a dynamic schedule and has over the years expanded its services based on the requests and feedback received from the public. We would like to keep growing in a manner so that people prefer public transport over their private vehicles.
- E-Busses in a state like Odisha, where there has been significant advancement, what kind of future can we envision for the upcoming development?
With India signing the Paris Agreement and pledging to significantly reduce its emissions, the introduction of EVs was a basic necessary step. Not only did the Government of India come up with the FAME II scheme, but the State Government of Odisha also came up with its own Electric Vehicle Policy. With the pandemic occurring, the process of procurement of the E-Buses became challenging. But the persistent efforts made by the entire CRUT team made plying of E-Buses in the capital region of Odisha a reality.
The response from the public regarding availing E-Buses has also been overwhelming. The plan is to introduce more E-Buses and establish more robust charging infrastructures across the Capital Region of Odisha to enhance the sustainable efficiency of the mobility ecosystem of CRUT.
- Do you believe that being a woman clearly gives you an edge in terms of connecting with your colleagues and doing your job more efficiently?
Definitely! I don’t want to sound biased, but it’s a proven fact that women tend to be more compassionate and that is what helps them to connect better with people and deliver work more effectively. One needs to understand that any organization is made up of the people who work in it and if employees have a conducive work environment, nothing can stop the organization from prospering. The personal bond and rapports play important role in building the positive work culture of an organization. For me the opinion of each and every employee of CRUT is valuable and this is why in CRUT we have regular meetings and discussions so that there is clarity about the ground reality before we implement any top management level decision.
Ms. Dipti Mahapatro with delegates from the German Government & GIZ at CRUT depot.
- What do you think about the transformation that we are witnessing here for the women who have been receiving career possibilities in this field?
The change is already here! Women have proven to excel in any field they have delved into. There was a time when women were not allowed to go to school and now we have a woman President of the country who has previously been a teacher.
CRUT has set a high benchmark at the national level and also got internationally applauded for bringing about gender inclusivity in the highly male-dominated transportation sector. But this is just the beginning. There is a much longer way to go. While the initial days are the toughest, once the norm gets set and established, the road to reform making becomes comparatively easier. It is ultimately the talent that should get recognized and not which gender, caste, creed, or religion one belongs to.
- Where do you envision the urban transportation department in five years?
Society is fast changing and we need to keep pace with it to stay relevant. With only a few years remaining to meet the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), I envision the urban transportation department to be able to function in a manner where it is able to cater to the mobility needs of the people living in the remotest areas in the most sustainable, affordable, safe, smart, inclusive and accessible manner. As the saying by Gustavo Petro, the President of Columbia goes, “A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use public transportation.” that is the vision I have for our country.
INTERVIEWED BY- PRISITA DAS
