An all-women team from Larsen & Toubro’s Construction & Mining Machinery business has made history by commissioning a 100-tonne dump truck at Tata Steel’s Noamundi iron ore mine in Jharkhand. This marks the first time in India that a machine of this scale has been assembled, tested, and commissioned entirely by women technicians.

In a landmark achievement for India’s mining and construction sector, L&T CMB’s all-women team commissioned the Komatsu HD785-7, a 1200-horsepower, 100-tonne dump truck, at Tata Steel’s Noamundi mine. The truck features advanced systems such as variable horsepower control, automatic retard speed control, and KOMTRAX Plus telematics.

The six-day commissioning, carried out between July 28 and August 2, overcame operational challenges from heavy monsoon rains. From axle mounting to hydraulic integration, the team executed the build with precision. The engine was fired on August 1 and the complete systems were integrated by August 2. On August 18, the machine was ceremonially handed over to Tata Steel, operated by an all-women crew, reinforcing a cycle of empowerment and continuity.

The 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 success highlights L&T’s robust training ecosystem that combines technical instruction, structured mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Reflecting on the achievement, Ruby Sharma 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 the other.”

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, lauded the accomplishment, “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, standing as a testament to training, belief, and the power of women in engineering.