Displaced People’s Agitation Hits SECL’s Q1 Coal Production Target

The agitation by displaced villagers across key mining areas is severely impacting South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) ability to meet its coal production targets for the first quarter of FY 2025-26. With only 18 days remaining in the quarter, SECL has achieved less than 85% of its assigned target of 41.31 million tonnes, producing just 33.21 million tonnes so far.

Over the past two and a half months, more than 10 separate agitations by displaced persons have disrupted coal mining and mine expansion activities. SECL’s mega projects—Gevra, Dipka, and Kusmunda—have borne the brunt of these protests, despite being the top contributors to the company’s overall production.

The Kusmunda mine was notably affected last month due to protests during mine expansion work on the acquired land in Jatraj. Meanwhile, coal production could not commence at the Ambika Mines in the SECL Korba Area due to repeated obstructions by villagers from Karatali, a mine-affected area, who have stopped overburden removal activities.

Mining operations inside the coal pits have also been disrupted. On April 16, the Urja Dhani Bhu-Vishwasti Kisan Kalyan Samiti halted mining and transport at all three major mines. Another major blockade was organized on April 22 by the Bhuvishwat Rojgar Ekta Sangh in Kusmunda, demanding resolution of pending job claims for project-affected families. On May 19, residents of Naraibodh led by Councillor Amila Patel disrupted mining and transport operations at the Gevra mine. Earlier this month, seven protestors—including three women—were arrested for stopping operations in Kusmunda.

Despite the monsoon still being weeks away—when coal production typically slows—SECL is already lagging significantly behind its target due to these ongoing mine closure movements.