Singareni begins coal mining at Naini block in Odisha, first ever outside Telangana

The Naini project marks SCCL's national expansion, with officials projecting a peak output of 10 million tonnes annually from a reserve of 340.78 million tonnes.

Hyderabad: Telangana-based Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) officially began coal production at the Naini Coal Block in Angul district of Odisha on Wednesday. This is its first ever mining venture outside the State in its 136-year history.

Virtually inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka from Hyderabad, the Naini project marks SCCL’s national expansion, with officials projecting a peak output of 10 million tonnes annually from a reserve of 340.78 million tonnes.

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In a statement, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said SCCL’s milestone achievement had laid a golden path for future generations, crediting his government’s sustained efforts in securing central clearances. In a separate release, union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy too hailed the milestone, noting the Modi government’s support in fast-tracking permissions.

Bhatti Vikramarka announced plans for a 1600 MW thermal power plant near the site, appealing to Odisha for land support. He assured SCCL’s commitment to local development, stating the venture would be managed with social consciousness.

Due to the initiative of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, SCCL contested for the Naini coal block in 2016. The mine, which holds an estimated 340 million tonnes of high-grade coal, was allotted in the same year, but faced delays due to pending clearances as it involves about 783 hectares of forest land in the mining lease area of 912.79 hectares. The mine received its environmental clearance in October 2021, while the stage-I forest clearance was granted in July 2021, the stage-II permission was granted in the second week of March 2023.