SECL has begun a first-of-its-kind training programme in Gevra, preparing women employees to operate heavy mining equipment in core coal production roles.

BILASPUR, July 9 — South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has launched Project Dhara Shakti, a first-of-its-kind initiative that will train women employees to operate Heavy Earth Moving Machines (HEMM), marking a significant shift towards greater gender inclusion in India’s coal mining industry.

The programme, currently underway at SECL’s Gevra Area in Chhattisgarh, aims to prepare selected women employees to operate dumpers, shovels and other heavy mining equipment that forms the backbone of coal production. The company said the initiative represents the first time in its history that women employees are being formally trained for these core operational responsibilities.

The move comes under the guidance of SECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Harish Duhan, who has positioned the programme as part of the company’s broader effort to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce while expanding technical career opportunities for women.

Project Dhara Shakti began on 6 July, with participants receiving a traditional welcome before the training formally commenced at the Gevra Area.

The specialised programme runs for 12 days, from 6 July to 18 July, combining classroom instruction with simulator-based practical training. SECL said the curriculum has been designed to equip participants with both the technical knowledge and operational skills required to safely handle heavy mining machinery used in day-to-day coal production.

The advanced simulator sessions allow trainees to familiarise themselves with operating dumpers, shovels and other Heavy Earth Moving Machines in a controlled environment before taking on field responsibilities. The approach is intended to improve operational readiness while maintaining safety standards during the learning process.

Who gets the opportunity to operate some of the mining industry’s largest machines has long reflected the sector’s workforce dynamics.

Project Dhara Shakti seeks to change that.

For the inaugural batch, SECL selected women employees from different operational areas across the company who belong to Category-I and possess a minimum educational qualification of Class 10. The selection criteria were designed to identify employees who could transition into technical equipment operation roles through structured training.

The initiative marks a notable departure from traditional workforce patterns in coal mining, where operation of heavy earth moving equipment has historically remained a male-dominated occupation. By opening these roles to women employees, SECL is attempting to widen participation in frontline mining operations rather than limiting women to administrative or support functions.

The company said the programme aligns with its long-term objective of strengthening workforce diversity while ensuring that technical opportunities remain accessible based on capability and training.

Human Resources officials also played an active role in identifying suitable participants and encouraging them to take on the new challenge.

Sujata Rani, General Manager (Human Resources), Bilaspur, visited the training venue along with members of the HR team to interact with the trainees. She encouraged participants to complete the programme with confidence, discipline and dedication so they could successfully transition into their new operational responsibilities.

SECL said such engagement was intended to motivate participants while reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting women entering technical mining roles.

The inaugural session also drew senior management from the Gevra Area.

Among those present were Gevra Area General Manager Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Staff Officer Sudha B. Shinde, and other senior officials. They expressed confidence that Project Dhara Shakti would create new professional opportunities for women employees while contributing to operational excellence across SECL’s mining activities.

But the significance of the programme extends beyond a single training batch.

By investing in technical skill development for women employees, SECL is signalling a broader organisational shift towards expanding women’s participation in core mining operations. The company believes that entrusting women with responsibilities involving heavy mining equipment can strengthen both workforce capability and gender diversity within one of India’s most traditional industrial sectors.

The simulator-based training also reflects the growing emphasis on technology-assisted learning in mining operations. Rather than placing trainees directly on operational equipment, SECL has adopted a phased approach that allows participants to develop technical competence and operational confidence before assuming live machine responsibilities.

And that combination of classroom instruction and practical simulation is expected to prepare trainees for the demands of operating heavy earth moving machinery safely and efficiently in active mining environments.

Project Dhara Shakti represents more than a training exercise. It signals SECL’s effort to redefine career pathways for women within the organisation by enabling them to enter roles that have historically remained beyond their reach.

If the programme succeeds, it could serve as a model for expanding women’s participation in technical and operational positions across India’s mining sector.

For SECL, the initiative reflects a commitment to building a workplace where technical expertise not gender determines opportunity.