PMO Advisor Tarun Kapoor reviews BCCL’s coking coal strategy, Jharia rehabilitation plan

New Delhi: Advisor to Prime Minister Tarun Kapoor reviewed the operations, major projects, technological initiatives and future growth plans of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) during a high-level meeting at the company’s headquarters, Koyla Bhawan, on Monday.

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The review was part of Kapoor’s two-day visit to Dhanbad and key locations in the region from August 31 to September 1, 2026. The meeting covered BCCL’s production and offtake performance, coal reserves, mining capacity, safety measures, technology deployment, washeries and plans for capacity expansion.

BCCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Manoj Kumar Agarwal outlined the company’s operational performance, key achievements, challenges and future action plans. Director (Technical/Operations) Sanjay Kumar Singh made a detailed presentation on the company’s operational performance, strategic initiatives and growth plans.

The review covered BCCL’s underground and opencast mining operations, overburden removal, production potential and targets through 2030-31. The company’s deployment of Longwall Mining and Highwall Mining technologies, along with plans to expand the use of Surface Miners and Continuous Miners, was also discussed.

During the meeting, Kapoor also reviewed the restructuring of opencast blocks in the Jharia Coalfield and the redevelopment of discontinued mines through the Mine Developer-cum-Operator (MDO) and revenue-sharing model. The performance of coal washeries, expansion of washing capacity and initiatives to improve coal quality were also discussed.

He stressed upon the strategic importance of BCCL in meeting India’s coking coal requirements and called for scientific and optimal utilisation of available resources. He emphasised capacity enhancement, improved operational efficiency and sustainable growth to strengthen the company’s profitability.

He also interacted with BCCL’s Area General Managers to understand operational and administrative challenges and review measures being taken to address them.

Following the review meeting, Kapoor inspected BCCL’s Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Block-I project, where he was briefed on gas extraction technology, project progress and implementation plans.

He also visited the Moonidih XVI Seam Longwall Project and reviewed mechanised underground mining operations. The project is aimed at supporting a reliable supply of prime coking coal through mechanised and safer underground mining practices.

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At the ENA Fire Project in the Kusunda Area, Kapoor reviewed fire management and safety measures, including scientific fire detection, thermal and satellite-based monitoring, excavation and phased rehabilitation of affected areas. He also interacted with families residing in high-risk areas and discussed issues concerning their safety and rehabilitation.

The review meeting was attended by Coal India Chairman B. Sairam, BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Alaknanda Dayal, Project Advisor, Ministry of Coal, Alok Kumar Singh, and BCCL functional directors and senior officials from the Railways and other departments.

Kapoor was welcomed at Durgapur Airport by BCCL CMD and senior officials and was subsequently accorded a Guard of Honour by the CISF-BCCL unit at the BCCL Guest House in Dhanbad.

On September 1, Kapoor is scheduled to visit the Belgaria and Karmatand rehabilitation sites and review issues related to the Revised Jharia Master Plan with concerned stakeholders.

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