**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes a Consultative Committee Meeting of the Ministry of Coal, chaired by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, held on Thursday. The meeting's agenda was "Technology up-gradation in Coal Companies," with senior officials presenting on policy initiatives, progress, and future plans. No specific deadlines or action items for external stakeholders were mentioned.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Meeting Overview**
* The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
* Attendees included the Minister of State for Coal and Mines, committee members, senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, and representatives from Coal Companies.
* The primary agenda was "Technology up-gradation in Coal Companies."
* Senior officials presented on key policy initiatives, progress, and future plans related to technology in the coal sector.
* **Current State and Government's Vision**
* There is currently no unprecedented demand for coal in the country.
* The government is actively using technology to enhance all aspects of the coal sector, including production, safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
* The coal sector is undergoing a significant technological transformation, moving towards smart, safe, and digital mining.
* **Technological Advancements and Initiatives**
* Examples of technology implementation include drone technology for surveying, 3D laser scanning, and AI & ML-based predictive analytics.
* The Ministry is exploring advanced solutions like Carbon Capture and Storage, Biomass cofiring, and Coal Gasification.
* Continuous innovation and technology integration are considered the future of the coal sector.
* **Company-Specific Upgrades**
* **Coal India Limited (CIL):**
* Implementing major technology upgrades for exploration (3D seismic surveys, drones) and efficiency/safety (continuous miners, highwall systems).
* Improving infrastructure for coal transport (new railway corridors, conveyor systems) to reduce environmental impact.
* Driving digital transformation through initiatives like SAP ERP and 5G-enabled IoT systems.
* Focusing on clean coal technologies and sustainable mining through research and collaborations.
* **Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC):**
* Advancing operations through comprehensive digitalization initiatives.
* Implementing dynamic dashboards for digitalizing land records and a digital logistic management system for coal dispatch.
* Utilizing OITDS and Geo-fencing technology for real-time monitoring.
* Employing 3D laser scanners and drones for mine surveying.
* Implementing a fuel management system to prevent pilferage.
* **Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL):**
* Key operational enhancements include an Integrated Control and Command Center, 3D laser scanning, DGPS, and drone-based GIS surveys.
* Improving safety and logistics with an Intelligent Coal Logistics Dashboard, visual monitoring systems, and safety devices on dumpers.
* **Other Briefings**
* Committee members were briefed on technological initiatives undertaken by the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation.
* **Committee Response**
* Committee members appreciated the Ministry's proactive efforts and offered suggestions for optimizing coal company output through technology up-gradation.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Ministry of Coal**
* **Impact:** The meeting provided a platform to showcase progress and future plans regarding technology adoption in the coal sector. It also facilitated feedback and suggestions from committee members.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement and monitor technology up-gradation initiatives as discussed. Consider the suggestions provided by committee members for optimizing output.
* **Coal Companies (Coal India Limited, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, etc.)**
* **Impact:** These companies are directly involved in implementing the technological upgrades discussed. They are expected to benefit from improved efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility.
* **Action Required:** Continue to undertake major technology upgrades across operations, as highlighted in the presentations. Implement new systems and technologies to enhance production, safety, and efficiency.
* **Members of Parliament (Committee Members)**
* **Impact:** Gained insights into the technological advancements and strategies being employed by the Ministry of Coal and its associated companies. They had the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions.
* **Action Required:** Provide continued support and oversight for the technology up-gradation initiatives within the coal sector.
* **Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation**
* **Impact:** Was briefed on technological initiatives, implying potential areas for collaboration or alignment with broader sector strategies.
* **Action Required:** Continue to undertake technological initiatives, and potentially align them with the overall technology up-gradation drive in the coal sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: The government ministry responsible for coal sector policy and initiatives.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy: The key individual chairing the consultative committee meeting and a central figure in the Ministry of Coal.
Coal India Limited: A major coal company presenting its technology upgrades and initiatives.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation: Another significant entity (NLC) discussing its digitalization initiatives and technology upgrades.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited: A coal company discussed in the context of its technological upgradation.
Ministry of Coal
Consultative Committee Meeting of Ministry of
Coal held Under Chairmanship of Union Minister
of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Posted On: 13 MAR 2026 11:00AM by PIB Delhi
The Consultative Committee Meeting of Members of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Coal was held
on Thursday, under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy. The
meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, members
of the Committee senior officials of the Ministry of Coal and Coal Companies.
The agenda for the consultative committee meeting was ‘Technology up-gradation in Coal Companies’.
Senior officials from the ministry of coal conducted detailed presentations on the subject, highlighting key
policy initiatives, progress and future plans.
Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Vikram Dev Dutt welcomed all dignitaries and committee members. In
his address Shri Dutt mentioned that at present there is no unprecendented demand of coal in the country.
In his opening remarks, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey noted that Coal
India is not just mining coal but also working extensivelyon research and development, especially in areas
like coal gasification.Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy said that in present
scenario, technology upgradation is not just an opportunity but have transformed to a permanent objective.
Minister noted that the government is making use of technology to improve all aspects of coal sector
including Production, Safety, Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility. Minister said that under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the coal sector is undergoing a disruptive technological
transformation. Citing examples of use of drone technology in surveying, 3D laser scanning, AI & ML
based predictive analytics etc, shri Reddy said that the sector is moving from traditional mining to smart,
safe and digital mining.
Minister also appraised the committee about the efforts of the ministry to adopt advanced solutions such as
Carbon Capture and Storage, Biomass cofiring and Coal Gasification. Minister observed that continuous
innovation and technology integration are the future of coal sector.
Delivering the presentation on the technology upgradation in Coal India Limited, Shri. B Sairam,
Chairman, CIL, informed that CIL is undertaking major technology upgrades across its operations. This
includes using advanced tools like 3D seismic surveys and drones for exploration, and modern equipment
such as continuous miners and highwall systems to boost efficiency and safety. The company is also
improving infrastructure with new railway corridors and conveyor systems to enhance coal transport and
reduce environmental impact. Digital transformation is being driven by initiatives like SAP ERP and 5G-
enabled IoT systems. Furthermore, CIL is focused on clean coal technologies and sustainable mining
through research and collaborations with top Indian institutes, the presentation highlighted.
With reference to the technology upgradation in Neyveli Lignite Corporation, it was informed that NLC
has significantly advanced its operations through comprehensive digitalization initiatives. It has
implemented dynamic dashboard for digitalizing land records across all Neyveli complexes and outside
projects and a digital logistic management system for overseeing and managing coal dispatch. Real-time
monitoring is achieved using OITDS and Geo-fencing technology, while terrestrial 3D laser scanners and
drones are employed for efficient mines surveying. NLC has also implemented a fuel management system
to prevent pilferage and misuse.The committee was appraised of the technological upgradation of Singareni Collieries Company Limited
as well. It was informed that the key operational enhancements include an Integrated Control and
Command Center, 3D laser scanning, DGPS, and drone-based GIS surveys. Safety and logistics are being
improved with an Intelligent Coal Logistics Dashboard, visual monitoring systems, and safety devices
installed in over 410 dumpers. The members of the committee were also briefed about the technological
initiatives undertaken by the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation.
Committee members appreciated the Ministry’s proactive efforts and provided suggestions for optimizing
output of coal companies, by using technology up-gradation.
****
Shuhaib T
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