3rd May – The Sixth Month & The Stubborn Cyclone

It’s the third day of May, but it feels like time has been on pause since the cyclone jamming issues started haunting Line#2. For the past two holidays—1st and 2nd May—I remained in the plant, tracing every thread of this technical knot. These weren’t off-days for me; they were days of discovery. While others rested, I wrestled with realities. And strangely, the more I stayed immersed in the problem, the more the plant started revealing its forgotten corners.

Bottom cyclone jamming is not just a technical fault—it’s a symptom. And like any seasoned mechanic knows, when symptoms persist despite fixes, there’s a deeper cause waiting to be unearthed. These days of intense observation and discussion are surfacing odd patterns and unknowns. Some aspects of operation I discovered were honestly baffling—why have these not come up before?

The good part? A refreshing downpour yesterday, 25mm of solid rain. I took a few videos—moments of pause in the stormy rhythm of work.

Today began with the morning meeting after a three-day gap. It felt quieter—probably the aftertaste of the holiday still lingering in people’s routines. But amidst the calm, a valuable moment: Mr. Tabate, a senior local colleague and delegation member, raised the cyclone jamming issue. I was glad. It’s when such issues are brought forward from the floor, not just top-down, that real progress begins. I explained our ongoing efforts and appreciated his involvement.

Later, at the HOD meeting, I repeated the need for inspections—reminding them about our previous deep discussion. I do not want to repeat this every week, but until people act, I will keep pushing.

From the Mechanical Workshop, I moved to the Electrical Workshop—where a 1350 KW motor is under rewinding. A massive job, and the team is doing a commendable task. From there, I made my rounds: Stores → Main Gate Security → Automobile Garage. During the walk, I paused for small sights—a snail crossing the walkway near the Main Assembly Point, lizards lurking near mango-laden trees. Small things, but somehow grounding.

DPM today gave me a jolt. Major maintenance jobs—like the complete replacement of Coal Mill Baghouse filter bags—were never even discussed! This isn’t a minor oversight. Such lapses indicate broken communication or absence of ownership. We must bring transparency and accountability into shutdown planning.

And yes—today marks six months since I joined WACEM. Half a year. What a journey this has been. A journey of revival, rediscovery, and relentless reminders that real change is a slow but steady process.

Evening? Same cyclone jamming discussions, but deeper now. New dimensions unfolding. We’re slowly unpeeling layers.

And I’m not tired. Because this is the work that matters.


🔹 Key Points of the Day:

  • Continuous cyclone jamming issue in Line#2 persists.

  • Three days' gap since last morning meeting; lean attendance today.

  • Valuable feedback by senior colleague Mr. Tabate during the meeting.

  • Emphasis again on proper inspections based on previous discussions.

  • Visits to motor rewinding area, stores, and garage.

  • Surprise: Major job like Coal Mill Baghouse not discussed.

  • Six months today since joining WACEM.

  • Evening discussions continue around the same recurring issue.

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