Singareni opens dumper jobs to women

metro india news I hyderabad

Following the directions of the Telangana government, which has been prioritising women’s development and empowerment, Singareni Collieries Company Limited has initiated steps to recruit women as heavy dumper operators for the first time in its history.

Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, the Singareni management launched the recruitment process for women dumper operators in open-cast mines.

The company operates massive 60 to 100-tonne dumpers to transport coal and overburden from quarry pits to the surface. For nearly five decades, these vehicles were operated exclusively by men due to the physically demanding nature of the work, which involves harsh weather conditions and round-the-clock shift operations.

With the number of women employees steadily increasing, the State government directed the company to provide suitable opportunities for women in mining operations. Singareni subsequently invited applications from interested women employees.

Around 35 women initially came forward. Since the job requires a Heavy Motor Vehicle licence, the management arranged specialised training through the Telangana Institute of Driving Education and Skills (TIDES), Sircilla, at the company’s expense. Of those trained, 13 women employees successfully completed the programme and expressed readiness to work as dumper operators.

The management stated that these women would be considered in the upcoming recruitment process. Officials described the initiative as a major step towards women’s empowerment in traditionally male-dominated roles. They also noted that, for the first time in the company’s history, a women’s rescue team has been constituted.

Some trained women operators said they were initially apprehensive but gained confidence after operating the dumpers. They said women today are excelling in all fields, including space exploration, and can successfully undertake mining operations as well.