Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan heaped praise on the women crew operating automated Cantilever Rail-Mounted Gantry (CRMG) cranes at the Vizhinjam International Port, describing them as a “reflection” of his government’s women empowerment initiatives.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said he came across the women crane operators during his recent visit to the port to inspect the progress of its construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to dedicate the international seaport to the nation on May 2.

As many as nine women, including seven natives of Vizhinjam, are managing the automated CRMG cranes at the port. P Prinu, S Anisha, L Sunitha Raj, D R Stephi Rabeera, R N Rajitha, P Ashalekshmi, A V Sreedevi, L Karthika, and J D Nathana Marry—hailing from Vizhinjam, Kottappuram, and Poovar—are the crane operators at the new seaport. Vijayan observed that many of them come from fisherfolk families.

The chief minister further said the women, who have completed expert training to control the movement of containers through a state-of-the-art remote desk, have become a source of pride for the country.