The only woman bus driver in the division, she makes four round trips between Aligarh and Noida every day
With over one million social media followers, Sonu’s dream became a reality through an initiative of the Yogi govt
Aligarh, October 2026 : As homes across the country resonate with prayers to Maa Bhagwati during the auspicious festival of Navratri, the Aligarh-Noida highway bears daily witness to the quiet strength of women. When Sonu Malan of Aligarh drives a roadways bus along this route, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan, 'Sashakt Nari, Samridh Uttar Pradesh,' comes alive. In the male-dominated transport sector, Sonu has carved out a distinct identity through hard work, courage and determination.
Employed as a bus driver with the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), Sonu drives approximately 540 kilometres every day, helping passengers reach their destinations. Her journey serves as an inspiration for women who aspire to break free from conventional mindsets and forge their own paths.
Providing women with opportunities in sectors such as transport through initiatives of the Yogi government is an important step towards women’s empowerment.
The broader objective of Mission Shakti is also to ensure women’s safety, education, dignity and self-reliance. Sonu Malan’s story demonstrates that with the right opportunities, self-confidence and strong determination, women can establish themselves in every field.
Twenty-eight-year-old Sonu Malan hails from Haziyapur village in the Jattari area of Aligarh. She joined the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation as a bus driver in 2021 and is the only woman bus driver in the Aligarh division. Sonu drives a roadways bus between Aligarh and Noida, completing four round trips a day and covering approximately 540 kilometres. With a strong sense of responsibility and discipline, she ensures that passengers reach their destinations safely every day.
Passengers are often surprised to see a woman behind the steering wheel, but they are equally quick to appreciate her driving skills and thank her for her service.
Sonu has been passionate about driving vehicles since childhood. At just 12 years of age, she began driving a tractor in her village for agricultural work. This early interest in driving gradually developed into a passion.
When the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation opened up opportunities for the recruitment of women bus drivers in 2021, Sonu expressed interest and applied for the position. Among the women selected were Sonu Malan from Aligarh and Ved Kumari from the Sikandrabad area of Ghaziabad. The opportunity enabled Sonu to turn her passion for driving into a profession, helping her establish her identity as a bus driver.
Sonu Malan’s identity extends far beyond the roads she travels. She has also built a substantial following on social media, with around 200,000 followers on YouTube, 150,000 on Instagram and 650,000 on Facebook. She frequently shares videos related to her work as a bus driver, which attract considerable interest. Through her profession, Sonu not only helps passengers reach their destinations but also uses social media to inspire women to embrace self-confidence and self-reliance.
Sonu Malan recalls that, initially, many people told her that driving a bus was a man’s job. However, her interest in the field continued to grow, and she never looked back. She said,, "The Yogi government provided me with an opportunity, and I challenged conventional mindsets through my courage and determination."
Her family stood firmly by her throughout the journey. Her brother is also a bus driver with the transport corporation, while her father has retired from his position as a teacher.
According to Sonu, girls and women travelling on her bus feel safe when they see her at the wheel and often appreciate her work. Many women, inspired by her example, express confidence that they too can fulfil their dreams.
Sonu’s story reinforces the belief that when opportunity is accompanied by determination, no destination is beyond reach.
