Born: 1924 (Kerala, India)
Died: 1981
Biography:
P.K. Thressia (12 March 1924 – 18 November 1981) was a pioneering Civil Engineer and the first female chief engineer in India. Born into a devout Syrian Catholic family in Kerala on March 12, 1924, she grew up as the second of six children of Kunchalichy and Kakkappan Thressia. Her father, an agriculturist, played a crucial role in encouraging her pursuit of education and engineering.
Thressia attended St Mary’s High School in Kattoor and subsequently enrolled in the College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) to study Civil Engineering. Alongside her, two other women engineers, Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha and Leelamma Koshie, blazed a trail for women in the field. Thressia’s determination and passion led her to graduate in 1944, even as the Second World War compressed her degree to three and a half years.
After completing her education, Thressia began her engineering career as a Section Officer for the Public Works Commission of the Kingdom of Cochin, which was then under British rule. Her exceptional skills and dedication soon led to a promotion to Assistant Construction Engineer for the TB Sanatorium in Mulakunnathukavu. In 1956, she achieved the position of Executive Engineer, necessitating a move to Ernakulam. Over the following nine years, she made significant contributions as a Superintending Engineer of Kozhikode Roads and Buildings.
In 1971, Thressia reached a career-defining milestone when she was promoted to the position of Chief Engineer of the state of Kerala. As Chief Engineer, she spearheaded numerous groundbreaking road construction projects, revolutionizing the use of rubberized bitumen for road surfaces and overseeing the commissioning of up to 35 new bridges annually. In addition to her road-focused work, Thressia also played a crucial role in infrastructure projects such as the construction of hospitals.
Despite the challenges faced by women in her field, Thressia was quoted in Roots and Wings by Shantha Mohan as saying, an engineer’s life is not as difficult as many women think. Her work ethic, resilience, and determination paved the way for future generations of women in the field of civil engineering. Throughout her 34-year tenure with the Kerala Public Works Department, she served as an inspiration for women in India and beyond.
Following her retirement in 1979, Thressia continued to make valuable contributions to the field as a founding consultant for the firm Taj Engineers. Her expertise and pioneering spirit left an indelible mark on the civil engineering profession in India. P.K. Thressia’s legacy is one of breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and redefining possibilities for women in the engineering world.