A job that involves walking 15,000-18,000 steps per day: Employee reveals many colleagues stand for 9 hours daily

A train manager with India’s Central Railway has drawn widespread attention online after offering an honest look at the strenuous nature of her profession. Through a video posted on Instagram, Mumbai-based railway staff member Priyanka Shaktivel Mudaliyar documents a typical workday, revealing the intense physical effort required behind the scenes to ensure trains operate smoothly and on schedule.

A Walk Through the Yard

In the footage, Priyanka is seen making her way along railway lines near a yard area, wearing a crisp white shirt and a backpack. As she films herself, she carefully steps across rough, uneven terrain beside a halted train. The background features extended tracks and rows of freight coaches, visually emphasizing the considerable ground she covers during a single shift. Her video highlights how much walking and standing the job demands, aspects that often go unnoticed by passengers.

She explains that her daily movement ranges between 15,000 and 18,000 steps, stressing that such physical exertion is not limited to her role alone. According to her, the entire operations wing of the railway system endures similar challenges. Numerous staff members spend hours either patrolling the tracks or remaining on their feet for nearly nine-hour stretches, tasks that test both stamina and resilience.

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A post shared by Priyanka Shaktivel Mudaliyar (@miss_train_manager)

A Change in Perspective

Reflecting on her past, Priyanka admits that before joining the railways, she too would criticize delays and overcrowded compartments. She recalls frequently voicing complaints at home about late-running trains and perceived inefficiencies. However, gaining firsthand exposure to the internal workings of the railway network transformed her outlook.

She now understands that dispatching a single train from its originating station involves coordination across multiple departments and countless personnel. The system, she notes, is far more intricate than it appears from the outside, with numerous moving parts that must align precisely.

Appeal for Empathy

Priyanka encourages commuters to show patience when faced with delays, pointing out that the job becomes even more exhausting during peak summer heat and the heavy rains of monsoon season. In her post’s caption, she expressed deep admiration for colleagues in the operating cadre, acknowledging the shared hardships they face daily.

The clip quickly generated strong reactions online. One commenter, identifying as an Assistant Loco Pilot, remarked that only members of the running crew truly understand the strain involved, adding that outsiders often focus solely on salary figures. Another individual, who introduced themselves as a Senior Train Manager, appreciated her effort to shed light on the profession, emphasizing the importance of proper rest, balanced nutrition, and physical fitness to sustain such demanding work.