Hyderabad: The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) started preparations to appoint women dumper operators for the first time in its 13-decade history following directions from the Telangana government.
The company decided to provide opportunities for women employees to operate heavy dumpers in open cast mines. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu directed the company to prioritise women empowerment in Singareni.
The company uses heavy dumpers ranging from 60 tonnes to 100 tonnes. These vehicles transport coal and overburden from mine quarries to the surface in open cast mines.
For nearly five decades, only male operators handled these vehicles in Singareni open cast mines. Officials said operating heavy dumpers requires physical endurance and driving skills. Operators also work in extreme heat, heavy rain and severe cold conditions.
The Telangana government asked Singareni to utilise the skills and capabilities of women employees more effectively. Consequently, the company invited applications from interested women employees to work as dumper operators in open cast mines.
Initially, around 35 women employees came forward. However, the job required both regular driving licences and heavy motor vehicle licences.
Women dumper operators complete heavy vehicle training
The company then arranged free heavy vehicle driving training for interested women employees through the Telangana Institute of Driving Education and Skills (TIDES) in Sircilla. Singareni provided the training at company expense.
A total of 13 women employees completed the training successfully. They informed the company that they were ready to work as dumper operators.
The management said it would provide opportunities to these trained employees in the upcoming dumper operator recruitment process. Officials said the state government was focusing strongly on women empowerment. They added that Singareni was also taking key steps in that direction.
The company said women were already performing effectively in several departments. Officials stated that Singareni had appointed only women employees in the challenging blasting division at the Bellampalli Khairiguda open cast mine.
They said the women employees were handling blasting operations on par with male workers. Officials also said the company formed its first women rescue team in Singareni history.
The officials added that the company would continue giving equal opportunities to interested women in difficult assignments and specialised jobs.
Some women trainees said they initially feared whether they could handle heavy dumpers. They said the work required physical effort and technical skill. However, operating the dumpers during training increased their confidence.
The trainees said women were succeeding in all sectors, including space exploration. They added that operating mining dumpers was also possible for women. The trainees thanked the Telangana government and Singareni management for providing the opportunity.