Coal Ministry Officials Review Progress of Jharia CBM Blocks I & II at BCCL

Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal conducted a two-day visit to Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) on January 12 and 13 to review the progress and field operations of Jharia Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Blocks I & II, located within the company’s leasehold area in the Jharia Coalfield.

The Ministry of Coal delegation comprised Birendra Kumar Thakur, Director (Technical), Ministry of Coal, and Ranjan Kumar Das, Senior Manager, Ministry of Coal.

Review Meeting at BCCL Headquarters

The visit began with a detailed review meeting held on January 12 at Coal Bhawan Headquarters, chaired by Birendra Kumar Thakur. The meeting was attended by BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, General Manager & Nodal Officer (CBM), and other senior officials.

Officials from CMPD (HQ), including Ravi Shankar Yadav and Vaibhav Thackeray from the Clean Energy Department, were also present. Rajiv Lochan, Project Head and representative of M/s Prabha Energy Limited (PEL)—the CBM operator for Jharia CBM Block-I—participated in the discussions.

During the meeting, a comprehensive review of project progress, key challenges, and timelines was undertaken. Emphasising the strategic significance of the project, Thakur stated that Jharia CBM Block-I, Coal India Limited’s first CBM project, marks a major milestone in CIL’s clean energy transformation.

He urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination to commence CBM production by December 2026, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, and operational efficiency.

“The successful commissioning of Jharia CBM Block-I will strengthen India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy and open new avenues for energy diversification within Coal India Limited,” Thakur said. He added that the Ministry of Coal would extend full support, including inter-agency coordination with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to ensure timely completion.

He further noted that timely commissioning would enhance BCCL’s revenue potential, boost India’s energy self-reliance, and set a benchmark for future CBM projects.

CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal, expressing gratitude to the Ministry officials, reaffirmed BCCL’s commitment to achieving the stipulated targets in line with the Ministry’s directives.

Site Inspection of Jharia CBM Block-I

On January 13, the Ministry officials conducted a field inspection of Jharia CBM Block-I, reviewing the progress of ongoing test well drilling activities. Present during the inspection were Arindam Mustafi, General Manager (West Jharia), Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, and representatives from CMPD (HQ) and Prabha Energy Limited.

The team assessed operational preparedness, drilling conditions, and safety arrangements at the site. Thakur appreciated the efforts of the BCCL and PEL teams and emphasised the need for timely completion of test wells to facilitate early gas production.

He stated that the Jharia CBM Project has the potential to emerge as a role model for clean and alternative energy generation under Coal India Limited, significantly contributing to the Government of India’s objective of a sustainable and diversified energy portfolio.

Commitment to India’s First CIL CBM Project

The two-day visit underscores the Ministry of Coal’s commitment to the expeditious implementation of India’s first CBM project under Coal India Limited. The Ministry of Coal, BCCL, CMPDI, and Prabha Energy Limited reiterated their shared resolve to ensure timely execution and commercial production from Jharia CBM Blocks I & II, marking a new chapter in India’s clean energy journey.