Union Coal Minister chairs review meeting of MCL

New Delhi: The Union Minister for Coal & Mines G Kishan Reddy chaired a high-level review meeting with the senior management team of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. The meeting was aimed at reviewing the performance of the company and discussing strategies to enhance its operational efficiency and contribution to the nation’s energy security.

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Reddy commended Team MCL for their relentless efforts in ensuring the country’s energy security, particularly through the continued supply of coal. He recognised the company’s operational achievements while encouraging the team to further augment their performance and meet the growing energy demands of the nation.

During the meeting, MCL's Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) Uday Anant Kaole provided a detailed presentation on the company’s current performance. He outlined key operational successes, challenges faced by the company, and future opportunities in the coal sector. The discussion also highlighted the company’s future prospects and its role in contributing to the government's ambitious vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) in the coal sector.

The Union Minister lauded the progress made by MCL in line with the nation’s energy objectives and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to meet future goals. He specifically emphasized the importance of optimising the Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) mode for coal transportation to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of coal. Maintaining logistics infrastructure was a crucial component of MCL’s future strategy.

Reddy also stressed the urgency of accelerating the implementation of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects, which would enhance coal evacuation capacity and streamline operations. In addition, he encouraged MCL to integrate modern technologies, such as IT and Artificial Intelligence (AI), into coal mining operations to enhance productivity and efficiency. He also highlighted the significance of expanding green energy initiatives in line with India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.

The Union Minister advised MCL to prioritize the reclamation and redevelopment of abandoned mines and ensure the timely execution of progressive mine closure activities. Furthermore, Shri Reddy urged the company to increase its focus on promoting gender diversity within the coal industry and take necessary steps to improve the welfare of its employees, including the accelerated enrollment of contractual workers into the corporate banking scheme.

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