Mumbai: In a groundbreaking achievement for India’s mining and construction equipment industry, an All-Women L&T Team has commissioned a 100-ton Komatsu HD785-7 dump truck at Tata Steel’s Noamundi iron ore mine in Jharkhand.
All-Women L&T Team Achieves First-of-its-Kind Commissioning
This milestone marks the first-ever instance in India where a machine of such scale and technical complexity has been assembled, tested, and commissioned entirely by women technicians.
The achievement underscores L&T’s efforts to foster inclusivity and empower women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The Komatsu HD785-7, a 1200-horsepower giant among mining machines, is equipped with advanced features including variable horsepower control, automatic retard speed control, and KOMTRAX Plus telematics.
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Precision Execution Despite Challenges
The commissioning was carried out between July 28 and August 2, 2025, in just six days by the all-women L&T team. Despite heavy monsoon rains, the team successfully executed every step of the process — from axle mounting to hydraulic integration. The engine was fired up on August 1, followed by complete system integration on August 2.
On August 18, the massive machine was ceremonially handed over to Tata Steel, where an all-women operator crew took charge, creating a historic moment of continuity from commissioning to operations.
Women Engineers Behind the Milestone
The All-Women L&T Team included Alisha Jerai, Anamika Kerai, Banashree Mondal, Monorama Banerjee, Nutan Bobanga, Priyanka Biswas, Ruby Sharma, Sanjana Sarkar, Sasi Kumari Mahato, and Soma Karmakar.
Their achievement reflects L&T’s robust training ecosystem, which combines technical instruction with structured mentorship and hands-on fieldwork.
Ruby Sharma, a team member, said: “Initially, we had doubts about whether we could take on certain jobs. But as the days went by, we realised we could accomplish the tasks one after another.”
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Sanjana Sarkar added: “It felt incredible, because this dumper was not just commissioned by us — it was handed over to be operated by a woman driver as well. A team of women commissioning a giant machine from start to finish gives us immense pride.”
Arvind K Garg, Advisor to the L&T CMD, stated: “When given an opportunity, women don’t just break barriers. They step forward, take ownership and walk over them. What this team has achieved is more than commissioning a machine — it is a turning point in the mining sector.”
The Komatsu HD785-7 will now haul iron ore at the Noamundi mine, but its commissioning by the All-Women L&T Team will remain a landmark moment in India’s industrial history. It stands as a testament to the power of training, mentorship, and belief in gender inclusivity.
