Women Engineers Lead Chennai Metrowater

For the first time, women have taken up key leadership positions at Chennai Metrowater, including engineering directors and chief engineers. Although women have worked in maintaining the city’s water supply and sewerage systems for many years, their growing presence in top management marks an important milestone.

Women currently account for 56% of the agency’s workforce, including 218 women engineers. O. Parveez, who joined as an assistant engineer in 1991, has now become an engineering director. She leads a team of five women chief engineers.

Parveez said she chose civil engineering because it directly affects people’s lives. In earlier years, women engineers faced several challenges, including long working hours, travelling long distances and inspecting projects in the field.

The change began gaining momentum in the mid-1990s when former managing director Santa Sheela Nair encouraged women engineers to take on greater responsibilities. They initially handled emergency complaints and night-time maintenance work, which required strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Chief Engineer M. Geetha recalled that interacting with the public was difficult during the early years. However, acceptance among colleagues and the public gradually improved as more women entered technical and leadership roles.

Technology has also made their work easier. Engineers can now share field updates through mobile phones, while improved data collection systems have strengthened water management. Chief Engineer R. Chitra also highlighted the importance of balancing professional responsibilities and personal life.

J. Suganthy, who worked on desalination projects, said these assignments provided valuable learning experiences and new professional challenges. Meanwhile, Chief Engineer A. Pushpalatha stressed that gender should not determine workplace responsibilities, as commitment and performance matter most.

As Pushpalatha prepares for retirement, H.S. Kalyani is set to take over her position. The growing number of women in leadership at Chennai Metrowater reflects changing workplace opportunities and their increasing contribution to the city’s essential public services.