Tata Steel has successfully deployed women employees across all three shifts in the outbound logistics department at its Kalinganagar plant in Odisha, marking a significant step forward in gender inclusivity within India’s industrial sector.
The move follows a series of pioneering initiatives by the company aimed at reshaping workforce dynamics in traditionally male-dominated roles.
This deployment is not symbolic—it reflects a structured and sustained effort to integrate women into core operational roles.
The initiative builds on Tata Steel’s broader diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, particularly under its flagship programme, MOSAIC, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
Structured Onboarding and Training for Operational Readiness
In January 2025, Tata Steel Kalinganagar welcomed 39 trade apprentices from the 2023 batch, of whom 26 were women.
Eighteen of these women were inducted into the outbound logistics department, where they underwent rigorous training in safety protocols, dispatch processes, inventory management, quality control, and digital tools.
The onboarding process combined classroom instruction with on-the-job training, preparing the women for both field-based and system-driven responsibilities.
This dual approach equipped them to handle the demands of round-the-clock logistics operations, including night shifts.
Karamveer Singh, General Manager of Operations at Tata Steel Kalinganagar, stated, “The wider deployment of women in mines, logistics, and across all shifts is a significant step towards improving workplace inclusivity, especially in the manufacturing sector.”
He added, “We are encouraged by this achievement and will continue to push for greater women representation in similar job roles”.
Building on a Legacy of Inclusion
This development follows Tata Steel’s landmark move in December 2024, when it launched India’s first all-women shift in mining operations at its Noamundi iron mine in Jharkhand.
That initiative was part of the company’s ‘Women@Mines’ and ‘Tejaswini’ programmes, which aim to create pathways for women in core industrial roles.
In 2019, Tata Steel became the first company in India to deploy women mining engineers across all shifts at Noamundi.
More recently, under its ‘Flames of Change’ initiative, the company inducted women firefighter trainees, forming the country’s first all-women firefighting crew in the steel sector.
These efforts reflect a consistent push to challenge gender norms in industrial operations and create equitable opportunities across functions.
Tata Steel Technology and Policy Enablement
Technological advancements have enabled women to take on roles that people previously considered physically demanding or unsafe.
Automation, digital monitoring, and improved safety infrastructure have helped level the playing field.
Tata Steel’s internal policies have also evolved to support these transitions, including shift scheduling, transport arrangements, and workplace safety measures tailored to ensure comfort and security for women employees.
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