South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has taken a landmark initiative to foster women’s empowerment and technical leadership: on 17 July 2025, the Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) Laboratory at the Central Excavation Workshop (CEWS), Gevra was officially launched as an all women run facility. The lab was formally inaugurated by SECL CMD Harish Duhan, in the esteemed presence of Director (Technical – Operations & Planning/Projects) Mr N. Franklin Jayakumar and Director (Finance) Mr D. Sunil Kumar.

What is the CBM Lab and Why Does It Matter? The CBM Lab plays a critical role in maintaining the heavy machinery and vehicles used in mining operations. By analyzing lubricant oil samples taken from equipment, the lab determines the internal condition of components, pinpoints where wear is occurring, and identifies parts that may be at risk of failure. Four principal tests are performed on each oil sample: Elemental Analysis – Detects metallic particles, additives, and contaminants Kinematic Viscosity – Gauges the oil’s thickness and flow characteristics Chemical Properties Analysis – Assesses overall chemical quality Particle Count – Measures debris generated by machine components. These tests enable early fault detection, dramatically reducing unexpected breakdowns. As a result, unnecessary repairs can be avoided, production interruptions minimized, operating costs lowered, and root cause solutions implemented for long term reliability.

Strengthening Both Technology and Inclusion

By placing the CBM Lab entirely under women’s management, SECL is not only enhancing routine monitoring and maintenance of mining equipment but also expanding female participation in technical domains—making operations safer, more efficient, and more cost effective.

During the programme, Mr Duhan and the directors toured the facility and met with Lab in Charge Mrs Babita Patwal, Assistant Manager (Excavation), and her all women team, commending their leadership and offering guidance for future excellence.

This historic initiative advances both technical proficiency and women’s empowerment, adding a new dimension to Coal India’s commitment to inclusive growth.

The event was attended by Mr A.K. Tyagi (General Manager, Gevra Area), Mr Sanjay Mishra (General Manager, Dipka Area), Mr R.K. Gupta (General Manager, Korba Area), Mr A.K. Singh (Works Manager, CEWS Gevra), members of JCC, Welfare and Safety Committees, and other officers and employees.