In a record-setting development in India’s mining and construction equipment sector, an all-women team from Larsen & Toubro’s Construction & Mining Machinery business (L&T CMB) has commissioned a mammoth 100-tonne dump truck at Tata Steel’s Noamundi iron ore mine in Jharkhand.
This is the first instance in India where a machine of such scale and complexity has been assembled, tested and commissioned entirely by women technicians. The commissioning marks a significant milestone in L&T’s ongoing efforts to foster gender inclusivity and empower women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The Komatsu HD785-7, a 1200-horsepower dump truck that the all-women team has commissioned, is among the largest in its class and features advanced systems such as variable horsepower control, automatic retard speed control and KOMTRAX Plus telematics.
The commissioning was carried out between July 28 and August 2, in just six days, with the team overcoming operational challenges posed by heavy monsoon rains. From axle mounting to hydraulic integration, the build was executed with precision and professionalism. The engine was fired up on August 1, and complete systems were integrated by August 2.
On August 18, the mammoth machine was ceremonially handed over to Tata Steel – here too to an all-women operator crew, creating a moment of continuity and pride. Women engineers readied the machine, and women operators will now drive it in production.
L&T CMB’s commissioning team comprised 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 blends rigorous technical instruction with structured mentorship and on-ground experience.
Reflecting on the journey, Ruby Sharma says: “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 the other”.
Sanjana Sarkar adds: “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”.
Lauding the achievement, Arvind K Garg, Advisor to the L&T CMD, says: “It’s moments like this that remind us — when given an opportunity, women don’t just break barriers. They step forward, take ownership and simply walk over them. What this team has achieved here is more than commissioning a mammoth machine. It is a quiet triumph that will be remembered as a turning point in the mining sector”.
The Komatsu HD785-7 will now haul iron ore at the Noamundi mine, but its legacy is already assured. It stands as a testament to the power of belief, training and support — and to the women who turned the steel into a living giant.
