Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, holds High-level review meeting at BCCL

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, arrived in Dhanbad today on a two-day visit. He participated in various events and inaugurated key projects, as well as chaired a high-level review meeting at Coal Bhawan Headquarters.

Coal India Chairman B Sairam, CMD BCCL, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner were present on the occasion. Dhanbad Aditya Ranjan, senior officials of the Coal Ministry, BCCL Directors, CVO, Aman Raj, senior officials of CISF, all regional general managers of BCCL, general managers of Coal Bhawan headquarters, heads of various departments, officials of JMP – JRDA and other staff were present.

During the meeting, the Union Minister thoroughly reviewed the major projects and developmental activities being undertaken by BCCL and JRDA under the Jharia Master Plan ( JMP ) . He discussed BCCL’s operational achievements , various security measures, and other important points with CISF officials, and provided necessary guidance . Director ( Technical Operations ) , Sanjay Kumar Singh, presented a PowerPoint presentation detailing BCCL’s operational achievements , coal quality improvement initiatives , the progress of rehabilitation work, and the status of various projects. He stated that BCCL is making concerted efforts to address short-term , medium-term, and long-term strategies related to skill development , employment generation , rehabilitation , social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. In the operational area, BCCL is also striving to achieve its targets despite the excessive rainfall this year.

On behalf of the JRDA, Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan presented details of the ongoing rehabilitation and developmental work in Belgarhia Township. He stated that the district administration is continuously making efforts to strengthen basic amenities such as education , health , water supply , roads , electricity , self – employment, and skill development. Special camps are being organized in Belgarhia and Karmatand to rehabilitate affected families so that all eligible families can be rehabilitated quickly.

DIG CISF , Jitendra Tiwari, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on behalf of CISF, detailing the measures being taken to strengthen security in coalfields , prevent illegal mining , protect the coal transportation system, and ensure uninterrupted operational activities. Following this, various company stakeholders and MDO operators also made presentations, providing detailed information on operations and other topics.

During the meeting, the Hon’ble Minister virtually inaugurated the 20 MW Dugda Solar Power Plant ( Bokaro ) and the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) at BCCL Headquarters. Built at a cost of ₹138 crore, the Dugda Solar Power Plant is a significant green energy project of BCCL, with an annual power generation capacity of 37.43 million units (MU). This plant will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 33,000 metric tons annually, providing a strong boost to BCCL’s renewable energy initiatives. The Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC), established at a cost of ₹166 crore, is a state-of-the-art platform that digitally integrates BCCL ‘s operational systems, significantly improving transparency and efficiency through CCTV surveillance7, RFID- based vehicle tracking, automated weighing systems, and AI analytics.

In his address, Union Minister Kishan Reddy stated that the coal sector is the cornerstone of the country’s energy security. The Central Government’s objective is not only to increase production , but also to give equal priority to humanitarian aspects such as rehabilitation , environmental protection , social responsibility, and worker welfare. The goal of the Jharia Rehabilitation Plan is not only to eliminate displacement , but also to ensure improved living standards and sustainable livelihoods. He directed officials to implement all plans in a coordinated , transparent, and timely manner , further accelerating the pace of rehabilitation and development work in the Jharia region. He emphasized the need for improved coordination and cooperation between BCCL and JRDA.

In the field of operations, he directed for continuous progress on all important indicators including safety and said that as the largest coking coal company, BCCL has a lot of responsibilities, on which everyone should work together.

The program began with a welcome and felicitation of Coal Minister. CIL Chairman, B. Sairam and CMD BCCL, Manoj Kumar Agarwal welcomed the Union Minister by presenting him a shawl, a bouquet, and a coconut. Following the Coal India song, CMD, Manoj Agarwal delivered the welcome address, after which the Minister virtually inaugurated the Dugda Solar Plant and the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) located at the Coal Bhawan III site.

Prior to the review meeting at Coal Bhawan, the Honorable Union Minister inaugurated the Center of Excellence on Critical Minerals and the Virtual Mine Simulator at the IIT ( ISM ), Dhanbad campus. The Honorable Minister interacted with faculty and students and discussed in detail mining safety , mineral resource management , sustainable development, and technological innovation. He stated that research and innovation in the mineral sector are integral to the country’s self-reliant India campaign. Our goal is to make India a global mining leader through modern technology , training, and skill development. He urged students to make the mining sector safer , efficient, and sustainable through innovation and research . He also engaged in informal and cordial discussions with students at the RDT stall , discussing their interests and future plans. Discussed etc.

It is noteworthy that as part of his two – day visit to Dhanbad, the Minister reached Dhanbad from Durgapur by road today. At Durgapur Airport, CIL Chairman , Mr. B. Sairam and CMD BCCL , Mr. Manoj Kumar Agarwal gave him a warm welcome by presenting him a bouquet of flowers. On this occasion, Director (Human Resources ) Mr. Murali Krishna Ramaiah , Director (Technical – Operations) Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh , Director (Technical – Project & Planning) Mr. Niladri Roy along with other senior officers and employees of BCCL were present.