Sambalpur: The women are exploding in the mines, the MCL team weighing in on dangerous activities.
At one time, coal mines were an inaccessible area for women. “It’s not just women who work in the mines, they’re dangerous and hardworking people.” MCL has created opportunities for women to do so, with Hara Barik and Sumantri Sahu from Talcher area two of them. At present, there are 15 women in the Balaram open-mine explosion team at MCL four in Hingula area. They are responsible for controlled explosions in the mine. The women’s team uses 12 to 12 tons of explosives a day to mine explosives. Physical harm and risk to life have always been associated with this difficult task. Yet that did not deter them from his goal. The Balaram mine produces 4 million tonnes of coal per year and has a significant stake in the female explosives team. “Women are no longer confined to office work, and in some cases, they have shown their prowess by sitting behind men,” said Keshab Rao, MCL’s chief operating officer.
