G. Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Multiple Development Projects During Visit to Western Coalfields

Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several key development projects during his two-day visit to Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited.

During the programme held on Friday, the Union Minister virtually flagged off 25 electric vehicles, reinforcing the government’s focus on sustainable mobility in coal mining operations. He also laid the foundation stones for multiple infrastructure and environmental projects across WCL’s operational areas.

Among the key projects announced were the ‘Black Diamond Sports Stadium’ in Kamptee in the Nagpur area, the ‘Swami Vivekananda Eco Park’ in Tadali in the Wani area, and the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Project at the Sasti Open Cast Mine in the Ballarpur area. These initiatives are expected to boost infrastructure development, strengthen environmental conservation efforts, and modernize mining operations across the region.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the minister chaired a comprehensive review meeting of WCL’s performance, focusing on coal production, mine safety, sustainable development initiatives, environmental protection measures, and future expansion projects.

During the meeting, Reddy appreciated the work culture and performance of Team WCL and expressed confidence that the company would deliver even better results in the current financial year. He also discussed the evolving role of WCL in India’s changing coal industry landscape.

Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of WCL (Additional Charge), presented a detailed overview of the company’s achievements during FY 2025–26, highlighting progress in production, operational efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.

The meeting was also attended by Sanoj Kumar Jha, B. Sairam, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, Coal India Limited, and WCL.

As part of his visit, the Union Minister is scheduled to inspect the Murpar underground mine on March 14 to review the ongoing mine closure process. He will subsequently hold a meeting with the District Collector and the Mine Closure Advisory Committee (MCAC). Officials from WCL, mine closure nodal officers, representatives from non-governmental organizations, consultants, and members of nearby villages are expected to participate in the discussions.