NMDC Leadership Engages Dantewada Panchayats, Assures Action on Core Infrastructure
Villagers residing near the Bailadila mining region expressed optimism following the interaction
In a proactive push towards inclusive and participatory development, NMDC Limited Chairman & Managing Director Amitava Mukherjee led a high-level interaction with Panchayat heads from villages surrounding the company’s operations in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. The meeting underscored NMDC’s commitment to addressing grassroots concerns and strengthening its partnership with local communities.
Representatives from over a dozen villages — including Gumiyapal, Samalwar, Kalepal, Cholnar, Kadampal, Hiroli, Benpal, Kodenar, Madkamiras and Kutrem — candidly highlighted pressing issues such as drinking water shortages, road connectivity, healthcare access, street lighting, and the need for improved rural infrastructure and sports facilities.
Senior leadership present at the interaction included Krishna Kumar Thakur, Director (Personnel), along with K. Sreedhar Kodali, CGM (Mining), Bacheli Complex, and Rabindra Narayan, Executive Director, Kirandul Complex.
Addressing the gathering, CMD Amitava Mukherjee emphasized that NMDC’s role goes beyond mining. He reiterated the company’s responsibility as a public sector enterprise to uplift the socio-economic fabric of the regions it operates in. He noted that community trust remains NMDC’s greatest strength and that local feedback directly shapes its development priorities.
“We will work with these villages to transform them into self-reliant settlements aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat,” he said.
Villagers residing near the Bailadila mining region expressed optimism following the interaction, particularly on commitments related to water supply, road development, and healthcare services. A Panchayat representative remarked that direct engagement with top leadership has created renewed confidence in timely action.
Director (Personnel) Krishna Kumar Thakur assured that NMDC will maintain continuous dialogue with local communities and that the issues raised will feed directly into upcoming development initiatives.
Since commencing operations in the Bailadila region in 1968, NMDC has played a crucial role in both industrial advancement and regional development through its Bacheli and Kirandul complexes. Over the decades, the company has contributed significantly to Dantewada’s infrastructure landscape — from drinking water projects and roads to healthcare facilities and sports infrastructure.
As India’s largest iron ore producer, NMDC’s relationship with Dantewada runs deep, built on decades of engagement and development. The latest outreach reflects a renewed focus on listening to grassroots voices and refining interventions to deliver more meaningful and sustainable impact.
