Rourkela: Women across industries are breaking barriers, stepping into roles once considered beyond their reach, and proving their mettle in high-risk zones, according to a report. From construction sites to factory floors, they are challenging stereotypes and excelling in fields that demand both physical and mental strength. The steel industry, long dominated by men, is no exception. Here, too, women are playing a crucial role in production, operations, and innovation.
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Amid the heat, the heavy plates, and the hum of machinery, three remarkable women—Mamata Patra and Rojni Kindo, both operator-cum-technicians (OCTs), and Pritilata Karar, an operator in the new plate mill at Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP)—are proving that steel is not just forged in furnaces but built with resilience and spirit. Mamata and Rojni have been part of the pulpit since its commissioning, ensuring wavy plates are leveled to perfection. Pritilata joined in 2019, already a trailblazer as the first woman crane operator at the plate mill. For these women, every day presents a challenge, but they embrace it with pride. “It’s not easy managing both home and work,” Mamata says. “There were days when I’d finish my shift and rush home to take care of my baby, barely catching my breath. But I love what I do.” The toughest days came during Covid-19 when only one person was allowed inside the control room at a time. “I was alone, handling everything. Sometimes up to 60 plates a day,” Rojni recalls. “It was exhausting, but we didn’t let the work stop.” Their job extends beyond leveling plates. They conduct inspections, prepare reports, manually paint and punch plates, oversee grinding inspections, and even operate the plate turnover device. The work is demanding and requires precision. “I feel proud when I see these massive plates taking shape under my hands,” Pritilata says. “People are surprised to hear that women run such a critical part of the mill. But why not? We have proved we can do it just as well.” Their journey hasn’t been without hurdles, but they stand strong alongside their male colleagues, shaping steel and shattering stereotypes. Their story isn’t just about machinery and production but about the grit, passion, and the fi re within. It’s about proving that women can thrive anywhere, even in the heart of a steel plant, where strength is measured not just in metal, but in determination
