Women Engineers Driving Progress at BALCO
Women Engineers Driving Progress at BALCO
Korba (Balconagar) August 19, 2026: Once considered predominantly a male dominant industry, engineering and technical roles in the manufacturing industry are witnessing a steady shift, with women increasingly taking on critical responsibilities across operations. At Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), women engineers are contributing across areas such as production, mining, operations, electrical systems and safety, bringing technical expertise, leadership and a strong commitment to operational excellence.
From working with advanced machinery and technology on the shop floor to leading teams and driving improvements, BALCO’s women engineers are demonstrating capabilities and performance that define professional success. Their journeys reflect the changing landscape of the metal and manufacturing industry, where opportunities, skills and merit are increasingly shaping careers.
Anshika Singh, a Chemical Engineering graduate from IPS Academy, Indore, developed an early interest in the technical field. Her interest found a practical avenue at BALCO, where she works in the Cast House, one of the critical areas of aluminium production. Working in a demanding shop-floor environment, Anshika has built her professional journey on innovation, hard work and confidence.
“Initially, my biggest challenge was to establish myself on the shop floor and earn the trust of my colleagues through my work. At BALCO, I received opportunities to work on new ideas, along with the confidence and support of senior leaders. This encouraged me to continuously improve. With support of the management, I initiated the ‘Reward and Recognition’ initiative, which helped boost team morale and contributed to better performance,” said Anshika Singh.
For Anshika, one of the most significant aspects of her journey has been earning recognition for her capabilities rather than being defined by her gender. She has witnessed a positive change in workplace interactions and believes that her experience can help create greater possibilities for women engineers entering manufacturing and shop-floor roles.
Another example is Aruna, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate from NIT Sikkim, who joined BALCO right after college. While she initially had some apprehension about beginning her career directly in a plant environment, the support of colleagues and the confidence placed in her by senior leaders helped her overcome them. Over the past four years, her willingness to learn and commitment to her responsibilities have enabled her to take on increasingly critical assignments.
“When senior leaders place their confidence in you for your work, it naturally brings a greater sense of responsibility. I have approached every responsibility with dedication and hard work, which has given me opportunities to continuously learn and strengthen my confidence. I believe success at the workplace is not determined by position or seniority, but by how sincerely and consistently we fulfil our responsibilities,” said Aruna.
As part of her responsibilities, Aruna’s team worked on improving BALCO’s power backup system. The team centralised the system through SCADA, enabling monitoring and analysis of multiple data points to identify potential issues in advance. This strengthened the team’s ability to take timely corrective action and improve the reliability of power supply. In recognition of her contribution to this work, Aruna was also honoured with the plant’s highest recognition, the CEO Award.
The experiences of BALCO’s women engineers reflect the changing face of India’s manufacturing and aluminium industry. By taking on responsibilities in technically demanding environments, leading improvement initiatives and contributing to operational performance, they are helping shape a more inclusive workplace. Their journeys demonstrate the value of providing equal opportunities, enabling professional growth and creating an environment where talent can contribute without barriers.
As BALCO continues to strengthen its capabilities and prepare for the future of aluminium manufacturing, the contributions of its women engineers represent an important part of this journey. Their achievements are also creating pathways for the next generation of women to consider engineering, technology and manufacturing as spaces where they can build meaningful and impactful careers.
