Parliament Question: Modernization and welfare measures for SCCL miners.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3397 ANSWERED ON- 23.03.2026 MODERNIZATION AND WELFARE MEASURES FOR SCCL MINERS. 3397 SHRI RAVI CHANDRA VADDIRAJU: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has any proposal to modernize the existing underground mines under the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL); (b) the details of the funds allocated for the safety and welfare of miners in the Kothagudem area during the last three years; (c) whether there is a plan to set up a super-speciality hospital for coal miners in the State of Telangana; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be completed? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL & MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a): Presently, there are 21 existing underground mines in operation in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The following steps have been undertaken by SCCL to modernise coal mining operations: • Presently, five (5) Continuous Miners are in operation at four (4) underground mines while bid has been opened for one (1) continuous miner. About 24% of total underground coal production is contributed by Continuous Miners. • Longwall mining technology has been introduced for the extraction of deeper coal deposits at the Adriyala Shaft Project. • Bolter Miners are deployed in two underground mines. These machines integrate coal cutting and roof bolting, improving both safety and operational efficiency. • A Tube Bundle System is installed to continuously monitor the underground mine atmosphere. • Gases such as CO, CH₄, CO₂, and O₂ are tracked in real time. • Data is transmitted through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) from the analyser room to the control room for continuous surveillance. • Air chilling systems are deployed to supply cooled air to underground working faces for temperature reduction of about 3–4°C, improving working conditions and worker comfort.(b): Details of funds allocated for safety and welfare of miners in the Kothagudem Area in SCCL during the last 3 years are furnished below: Fig. in ₹ Crores Heads 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Welfare# 8.07 88.8* 9.58 Safety 0.78 1.01 0.88 * New Quarters MC type (60 in number) and MD type (210 in number) have been constructed for residential accommodation of miners. # Welfare fund includes construction of quarters for residential purposes, reimbursement of interest on House Building loan, supply of free electricity, supply of free water, supply of free LPG cylinders, canteen facilities, skill development trainings for unemployed women, beautification of Pragathivanam Park, development of ECO park etc. (c) & (d): SCCL has an existing hospital facility, but no super-speciality hospital has been approved yet. At present, SCCL continues to provide super-speciality medical services through its network of over 180 empanelled corporate hospitals in Hyderabad and other major cities. *****